Landmark Conference to Redefine Narratives on Ethnic Profiling and Security in West Africa opens in Abuja
A high-level two-day conference aimed at addressing the growing concerns of stereotyping and ethnic profiling in security operations and public discourse across West Africa has commenced in Abuja.
The event, which began on Tuesday, April 1, 2027, is being held at the auditorium of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser. It brings together a diverse array of stakeholders, including security professionals, policymakers, academics, civil society actors, and communication experts from across the region.
The conference is jointly organised by the NCTC in partnership with Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited and the Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research Nigeria. Its central focus is to critically examine and harmonise the definitions and terminologies commonly used in security narratives—particularly those that may unintentionally reinforce stereotypes or fuel ethnic profiling.
Participants are expected to engage in robust discussions on how language, if not carefully framed, can deepen social divisions, undermine trust in security institutions, and complicate counterterrorism efforts. The conference seeks to develop a more nuanced and context-sensitive framework for communication that reflects the complex realities of security challenges in West Africa without stigmatizing particular communities.
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In his opening remarks, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Mohammad Kaka, emphasized the importance of responsible communication in modern security operations, noting that mischaracterisations and generalized labels can alienate communities whose cooperation is vital in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.
He urged participants to pay attention to the grave implications of ethnic and religious profiling to national security and the efforts to surmount the various security challenges in Nigeria.
Setting the tone for conference, the Executive Director of Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research Nigeria, Brig Gen Saleh Bala, stated that the whole essence of the conference is to provide a platform for participants to robustly interrogate the wider issues and implications of profiling and name calling that have aggravated tension, suspicion and insecurity in Nigeria.
Sessions over the two days will cover a wide range of topics, including the role of media in shaping public perception, the ethical implications of ethnic profiling, best practices in strategic communication, and the need for inclusive narratives in counterterrorism messaging.
The conference is expected to produce actionable recommendations and a set of guidelines that will inform both policy formulation and operational conduct among security agencies and media practitioners in the region.
Observers say the initiative comes at a critical time, as countries in West Africa continue to grapple with complex security threats that require not only military responses but also trust-building and community engagement strategies.