An international peacebuilding project targeting conflict-prone border communities in Nigeria has taken off in Kwara State, as a global nonprofit organization, Search for Common Ground, ramps up efforts to foster stability across five frontline states.
The initiative, Enhancing Collaboration for Peace and Security Project, is funded by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs Crisis and Support Centre (CSC) and implemented by Search for Common Ground with support from the Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs.
As part of the initiative was the establishment of a State Peace Architecture (SPA) with the mandate to discuss emerging conflict issues affecting the state, held regular discussions on State Peace level early warning and response with key recommendations on the challenges of Peace and security and hold problem solving discussions between state and non-state actors, community state holders, religious leaders among others.
At a multi-stakeholder engagement held in Ilorin, the Kwara State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Co-Chairperson of the State Peace Architecture, Hon. Afolashade Justina ably represented by Alhaji Alhassan Muaza, the Director Planning, Research and Statistics expressed the state government’s commitment to the project and peace Architecture. She announced that the peacebuilding initiative should be extended to Edu and Patigi local government areas due to the emerging security issues.
To ensure the sustainability of the platform, the Ministry with the SPA plans to integrate it into the 2026 state budget. The imperative of this is that “Peace and security are non-negotiable pillars of development. We have requested a clear action plan from the implementing partners to ensure the project is mainstreamed into our policy framework,” she said.
Pastor Ade Bodunde, Co-Chairman of the State Peace Architecture, emphasized the value of community-driven solutions in addressing the root causes of conflict.
Echoing this, veteran journalist and media expert, Mr. Tunde Akanbi, urged stakeholders to engage political actors more actively in the peace process. He warned that fake news and disinformation, especially on social media, continue to threaten Nigeria’s fragile peace.
According to him, until politicians and those who influence public discourse are brought into the conversation, peace will remain elusive.
This concern was supported by the representative of the Nigeria Customs Service, DSC T.A. Badawi , who noted that the re-circulation of old security reports often heightens tension in border communities.
Highlighting some of the early gains, Dr. Deborah Odu Obor, the Kwara State Project Officer for Search for Common Ground, shared local success stories from Baruten LGA. These include a symbolic peace football match between community members and security agencies, and a dialogue session involving traditional rulers, law enforcement, and community leaders.
One of the standout moments was a Participatory theater performance centered on resolving a recent Baruba-Yoruba communal clash, using storytelling as a tool for healing and reconciliation.
Stakeholders at the forum included representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs, Miyetti Allah, and associations for persons with disabilities and others.
President of the National Council for Women Societies, Hajia Zainab Audu, lauded the efforts of Search for Common Ground, urging participants to share the knowledge with their local communities.
Organisers revealed plans for advocacy visits to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Emir of Ilorin. They also announced upcoming self-organised training workshops on conflict dynamics to equip community members with tools for early warning and conflict prevention.
Stakeholders therefore called on Search for Common Ground to collaborate with the Ministry of Women Affairs in commemorating the International Day of Peace slated to hold in September 2025.
An interactive breakout session followed, allowing participants to reflect on the sustainability structure of the SPA, wayforward were proposed.
