Dr. Adelanke Oyintoke Leads CIISM-AU Summit on Terrorism in Abuja

 By Genesis ogiri 

Abuja, Nigeria — In response to the escalating challenges of terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry across Africa, Ambassador Dr. Adelanke Peter Oyintoke, Registrar of the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management (CIISM) and Head of Training at the African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly, has spearheaded a landmark Security and Intelligence Summit aimed at fostering regional collaboration, enhancing intelligence synergy, and promoting sustainable security reform across the continent.

The high-level event, themed “Say No to Terrorism, Kidnapping, and Banditry,” was held at the prestigious Army Resource Centre in Abuja, drawing key stakeholders from the security sector, diplomatic corps, intelligence agencies, academia, and civil society.

In his keynote address, Dr. Adelanke Oyintoke highlighted the critical need for an intelligence-led approach to curbing terrorism and related crimes. He stressed that no single nation or agency can effectively combat the complexities of modern security threats in isolation.

Dr. Oyintoke further emphasized the need for a holistic and human-centered approach to national and regional security. He called on the Federal Government of Nigeria, as well as subnational and regional stakeholders, to prioritize sustained investment in social infrastructure, broaden youth engagement platforms, and promote alternative livelihood opportunities—particularly in vulnerable and underserved communities.

According to him, while military interventions and tactical intelligence are critical to short-term containment, the long-term stability of the African continent hinges on addressing the socio-economic conditions that create fertile ground for extremism, radicalization, and criminal networks.

 “The drivers of insecurity poverty, unemployment, exclusion must be confronted with the same urgency as tactical threats. We must realize that the most enduring form of national security is one that is anchored in human dignity, equitable opportunity, and inclusive development,”  Dr. Adelanke Oyintoke stated.

He further noted that no amount of military hardware or border enforcement can substitute the stabilizing power of empowered communities and inclusive governance.

 “Strengthening our arsenals is important. But it is only part of the solution. We must also strengthen our schools, equip our health centers, empower our youth, and listen to the concerns of our local communities. Security is not a battlefield agenda alone it is a development imperative,” he concluded.

This reaffirms the summit’s broader message: that a peaceful Africa will not be built by force alone, but through integrated governance that recognizes that human security is the foundation of national and regional peace.

Dr. Oyintoke commended the robust turnout of operatives from security agencies, including the Nigerian Armed Forces, Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence Corps, and representatives of community-based security networks. He noted that their presence signifies a progressive step toward unified security frameworks and proactive intelligence fusion.

Dr. Oyintoke commended the robust  turnout of security personnel from various agencies including the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence Corps, and other paramilitary bodies—calling it a signal of growing synergy between civil and security institutions. He noted that such gatherings are vital to fostering a pan-African strategy that aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly its goal of “Silencing the Guns by 2030.”

 “We are not merely reacting to insecurity. We are convening thought leaders, practitioners, and policymakers to shape a continental roadmap for proactive security engagement. This is a call for vision-driven, intelligence-backed, and people-oriented solutions,” he added.

As a tangible next step, Dr. Oyintoke announced that the next regional summit will be hosted in Lokoja, Kogi State, with plans underway to expand the initiative to Ethiopia, reinforcing its pan-African scope. He described the campaign as not just an event series, but a continental movement for awareness, strategic dialogue, and security innovation.

Participants departed with a renewed commitment to peace and the shared conviction that Africa’s security future lies in intelligence-led governance, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and grassroots engagement.

As Africa charts its path toward the fulfillment of Agenda 2063, gatherings such as this reaffirm the resolve of stakeholders to silence the guns—not merely through force—but through vision, unity, and strategic foresight 

The summit concluded with an award ceremony recognizing distinguished individuals and organizations for their efforts in promoting peace, security, and good governance. Recipients were applauded for demonstrating exemplary commitment to community resilience, intelligence cooperation, and sustainable development.

This summit marks a pivotal step toward an Africa where security is anchored in collaboration, intelligence is driven by ethics and effectiveness, and peace is pursued with purpose and inclusivity. Under the leadership of Dr. Adelanke Oyintoke and in partnership with the AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly, CIISM continues to position itself as a strategic hub for African security dialogue and transformation.

The Abuja Security and Intelligence Summit, led by Ambassador Dr. Adelanke Peter Oyintoke, stands as a compelling testament to Africa's growing resolve to address insecurity through strategic cooperation, inclusive dialogue, and intelligence-driven action. As terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry continue to pose grave threats to stability and development, the summit has not only raised critical awareness but also laid the groundwork for a sustainable continental framework rooted in peace, unity, and proactive engagement.

By fostering inter-agency collaboration, championing regional dialogue, and advocating for socio-economic reforms, Dr. Oyintoke and the CIISM—alongside the AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly have sent a powerful message: Africa’s security future lies not only in military might, but in vision, strategy, and collective responsibility.

With upcoming summits in Lokoja and Ethiopia, this movement is gaining momentum. It signals the rise of a new era one where Africans take the lead in shaping their own security destiny, silencing the guns, and building a continent where peace is not merely an aspiration, but a lived reality.