ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the institutional strategies adopted in countering violent religious extremism in Nigeria and Kenya and the viability of these efforts. It is argued in the chapter that there is a renewed appreciation that the community is a critical pillar in the prevention of violent extremism. The chapter speaks to the changing face of countering violent extremism in Nigeria and Kenya that is departing purely hard power responses to the adoption of soft power approaches. The chapter observes that institutional counter-extremism strategies have been largely informed by a paradigm shift in the broad domain of counter-terrorism that no longer privileges hard power approaches as the only response. The chapter finds that these institutional strategies have been influenced by local and international dynamics in response to the changing face of terrorism. The national counter-extremism measures have been supported and boosted by regional and international initiatives. Despite these collaborative efforts, essential gaps still remain. The institutional responses have generated mixed outcomes of progression, retrogression and mixed opportunities.
