The Economic Community of West African States has called for the modernisation of traditional Islamic schools to tackle the surging scourge of terrorism and violent extremism across the sub-region.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja at the West African Islamic Conference on Security and Governance.

According to him,  modernising and protecting the schools, students, and teachers will end the street begging phenomenon, child abuse, and children’s vulnerability to radicalisation and recruitment by extremist and terrorist groups.

“The situation of the traditional Qur’anic schools is the focus of our preventive action against radicalisation and violent extremism in this conference. We need to improve and modernise this school system and convert them into conducive and formalised centres of learning and economic empowerment.

“These schools accommodate millions of young people in the region, but they are largely neglected as informal institutions, making both the teachers and their students vulnerable to recruitment by criminal organisations, including terrorist groups,” he said.

Mr Touray noted that terrorism and violent extremism have taken root within the sub-region, and urged all stakeholders to work both to prevent extremism and tackle terrorism, wherever it occurs.

He disclosed that terrorism and violent extremism have exerted a huge toll on the socio-economic well-being of West Africa and the Sahel, which have become the frontline of the global fight against terrorism.

He further disclosed that the 2025 Global Terrorism Index Report reveals a significant shift in global terrorism patterns, with Africa emerging as the new hub of terrorist activities.

“Although prevention is better than cure, we are at a stage where we must work both to prevent extremism and tackle terrorism wherever it occurs. In a region with a youthful population, it is important to pay attention to the situation of these youths and channel their energies to positive activities,” he said.

He stated that the conference aligned with ECOWAS’ Action Plan Against Terrorism, a regional non-kinetic initiative that involves multiple actors from both state and non-state institutions.

“For us in ECOWAS, we have emphasised the application of a carrot and stick approach, or non-kinetic and kinetic strategies in tackling the menace.

“We are therefore pleased to see that the custodians of these traditional Qur’anic schools have come forward to take the lead in their modernisation across West Africa and the Sahel.

“In supporting the initiatives of our religious organisations, we are also complementing the efforts of our national governments,” Mr Touray said.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, stated that the conference was not the end, but the beginning, restating that it marked a step towards a new era of cooperation and collaboration in West Africa and the South.

He urged stakeholders to remain committed to their shared goals and work together to create a region of peace, stability, and prosperity for all, rather than becoming divided.

“Let us strive to create a region where every individual can live in peace, security, and dignity. Let us work together to build a brighter future for our children and our community,” he said.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union’s high representative for ‘Silencing the Guns’, disclosed that over 40 million West and Central African children were currently out of school, and terrorism-related deaths had increased by 10 per cent recently.

He said that the main objective of the conference was to develop and implement an action plan on the role of Islamic organisations in countering terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel through non-kinetic strategies.

Mr Chambas, a former ECOWAS Commission president, said, “Let us work together to implement the recommendations and strategies outlined in this declaration. Let us empower Islamic organisations to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and coexistence.”

(NAN)