Nigeria Federal Government: Unveils National Framework for Peacebuilding

• Nigeria's Federal Government has launched a National Framework for Peace, Social Cohesion and Resilience to coordinate conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and national security efforts.
• Developed by OSPRE with support from the EU and GIZ, the framework emerged from nationwide consultations and was unveiled in Abuja.
• It signifies a strategic shift, recognizing that military operations alone cannot resolve insecurity and must be complemented by governance, institutions, and community-based peacebuilding.
• The framework aims to link national security operations with civilian-led peacebuilding and coordinate federal, state, and local institutions.
• It emphasizes collaboration among government, humanitarian, and development partners to address root causes of insecurity, particularly in conflict-affected and border communities.

This comprehensive strategy underscores that lasting peace necessitates more than just military and law enforcement actions, requiring robust institutions, accountable governance, societal trust, effective dispute resolution, and resilient communities.

Nigeria's Federal Government has officially introduced a comprehensive National Framework for Peace, Social Cohesion and Resilience, designed to harmonize and integrate efforts across various institutions concerning conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and national security. This significant initiative aims to establish a unified platform for diverse entities, including government bodies, security organizations, state peace commissions, and civil society groups, to collaboratively address the nation's security challenges.

The unveiling of this framework took place in Abuja, as confirmed by a statement issued on Thursday by Amina Wali, representing the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), which functions as the National Centre for the Coordination of Early Warning and Response Mechanisms. The development of this pivotal Nigeria National Framework Peacebuilding strategy was a collaborative endeavor, spearheaded by OSPRE in partnership with Triple Peace Africa, and received crucial backing from the European Union and the German development agency, GIZ.

Chris Ngwodo, the Director-General of OSPRE, highlighted that the National Framework for Peace, Social Cohesion and Resilience is the culmination of extensive nationwide consultations. These discussions involved numerous government institutions and other key stakeholders, ultimately yielding a consensus that underscores the shared responsibility of both the state and society in achieving sustainable peace. This broad engagement ensures the framework reflects a collective understanding of the path forward.

The introduction of this framework signals a profound shift in Nigeria's approach to national security, moving beyond solely military-centric solutions. Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.), the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, emphasized in his keynote address that military operations alone are insufficient to tackle the underlying causes of insecurity and conflict. He stressed the necessity of complementing security interventions with robust governance structures, effective institutions, and community-based peacebuilding mechanisms.

This comprehensive strategy underscores that lasting peace necessitates more than just military and law enforcement actions, requiring robust institutions, accountable governance, societal trust, effective dispute resolution, and resilient communities. The framework is specifically designed to bridge the gap between national security operations and civilian-led peacebuilding initiatives, fostering coordination among federal, state, and local institutions. It also serves to complement the National Threat Assessment and Strategic Defence Operations Plan, a directive from President Bola Tinubu, by promoting a holistic, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to national security and Tinubu administration conflict prevention.

The framework champions an integrated approach, recognizing that multifaceted challenges demand multi-stakeholder solutions. Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, articulated the critical link between humanitarian protection, conflict prevention, and sustainable development. He asserted that issues such as displacement, disrupted livelihoods, and the vulnerability of communities affected by conflict cannot be effectively addressed without confronting the root causes of insecurity. He therefore called for enhanced collaboration among government bodies, humanitarian organizations, peacebuilding groups, and development partners.

Further emphasizing the framework's broad applicability, Surveyor Adamu Adaji, Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, noted its potential to bolster peacebuilding efforts in border communities. These areas frequently face security challenges stemming from resource competition, communal tensions, and cross-border activities. Adaji advocated for the integration of early warning systems, conflict prevention strategies, and community-based peacebuilding into both border management protocols and cross-border cooperation initiatives. Mrs. Inna Audu, Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners in the Office of the Vice President, also affirmed the framework's utility in integrating peacebuilding and resilience into broader national strategies.

The conceptualization of this framework began in 2025, initially as a review of the existing National Peace Policy. However, as Chris Ngwodo explained, the recognition that Nigeria's complex security and governance challenges demanded a more expansive and integrated response led to its evolution into a comprehensive national framework. This strategic pivot reflects a deeper understanding of the interconnected nature of peace, social cohesion, and resilience.

This National Framework for Peace Social Cohesion Resilience represents a significant policy evolution, signaling a clear shift towards a more integrated and multi-stakeholder approach to conflict prevention and national security. Its emphasis on responsive governance, credible dispute resolution mechanisms, and community-based peacebuilding is poised to influence future regulatory expectations and operational strategies across various sectors. The framework underscores a commitment to fostering a stable environment through collaborative efforts, moving beyond traditional security paradigms to embrace a more holistic vision for national well-being.

This framework signals a shift towards a more integrated, multi-stakeholder approach to conflict prevention and national security in Nigeria. Lawyers advising clients on risk management, community relations, or compliance in conflict-affected regions should be aware of this framework's emphasis on responsive governance, dispute resolution mechanisms, and community-based peacebuilding, as it may influence future regulatory expectations or operational strategies.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH