The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to an inclusive national approach to preventing violence and conflict, calling for deeper collaboration among communities, institutions, and development partners.
Ribadu made the remarks at the National Peace Committee Dialogue on a Whole of Society Approach to the Prevention of Violence and Conflict in Northern Nigeria, held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
According to the NSA, the dialogue reflects growing national and international recognition that peacebuilding and security require the participation of all sectors of society. He commended the National Peace Committee for convening leaders, experts, and stakeholders at a critical time for the country.
Strengthening Collaboration
Ribadu emphasised that strengthening collaboration across government, communities, civil society, women and youth groups, traditional and religious institutions, development partners, and the private sector is essential to achieving lasting stability in Northern Nigeria.
“This initiative is a clear demonstration that peacebuilding is not the business of government alone, but of all stakeholders, and for this, I thank you. Today’s dialogue reinforces a principle we in this administration have consistently advocated: security is everyone’s business,” he said.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, also reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to a collective, people-centred, and preventive security strategy, stressing that lasting peace in Northern Nigeria requires broad national participation. Represented by the Chief of Defence Civil Military Relations, Rear Admiral Sabiru Lawal, he noted that the dialogue is timely given the volatile and evolving security landscape in the north.
“It is indeed a great honour to partake in this all-important dialogue on vital matters of Nigeria’s peace and security. The theme of this dialogue, a whole of society approach to the prevention of violence and conflict in Northern Nigeria, is both timely and critically relevant,” the CDS explained.
Security Environment
Oluyede described the security environment in the north as volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, demanding broad-based solutions that integrate all elements of Nigeria’s national power. He said the essence of the dialogue aligns with the inclusive and collaborative strategy needed to strengthen national security.
Collective Framework
The CDS highlighted that a collective framework features strongly in his military strategic philosophy, guiding the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He emphasised the need to consolidate capabilities, ensure enhanced jointness, improve welfare, and maintain strong administrative structures to reinforce Nigeria’s sovereignty within a whole-of-government model.
He assured that the Armed Forces remain fully committed to supporting all initiatives that strengthen peace, dialogue, and cohesion, expressing confidence that the dialogue will produce actionable recommendations advancing stability in Northern Nigeria.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, also called for a unified national effort to confront rising insecurity across the country. He stressed that preventing violence in Northern Nigeria requires collective responsibility anchored in dialogue, community engagement, and government leadership.
Mignot highlighted that Nigeria’s security challenges, marked by attacks, kidnappings, and community-level disruptions, have reached a scale demanding urgent, coordinated engagement across all levels of society.
“It is a fact that there are many drivers for violence in Nigeria, and violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines. They disrupt the full enjoyment of fundamental rights, including freedom of religion and belief. We support Nigeria in its effort to fight violence and insecurity and address the complex drivers of conflict. Security is a primary responsibility of government, but the whole-of-society endeavour is required to reduce and prevent violence and conflicts in Nigeria,” he said.
The Ambassador noted that violent attacks, including recent abductions in Niger State, continue to generate deep anxiety nationwide, echoing past incidents that shook communities and tested national resilience. He emphasised that solidarity with victims and affected families remains central to the EU’s engagement.
Mignot reaffirmed the EU’s partnership with Nigerian authorities and local stakeholders in funding security, peacebuilding, and conflict-prevention programmes across states and communities. These interventions address immediate threats and long-term root causes, including education gaps and climate-related pressures.
He described the National Peace Committee dialogue as a timely and necessary platform, given the urgency of current security developments and the importance of joint action among government, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society, and international partners.
Confidence Okwuchi