Abuja — The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has stressed that to defeat insurgency and other forms of violent extremism in Nigeria, the country's youthful population must understand the drivers of conflict.
Speaking at a workshop to revise the first-ever National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security in Abuja yesterday, the Minister identified convoluted and senseless religious messaging as well as a lack of understanding of the drivers of conflict, among other factors, as reasons why violent extremism has continued to persist despite coordinated efforts by government and other relevant stakeholders to address both its immediate and root causes.
He also queried how AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weaponry find their way into the hands of non-state actors behind insurgency and violent extremism in Nigeria, even though the country does not manufacture such weapons.
To address these identified challenges, the Minister advocated using the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a platform to enlighten young people on the primary and secondary drivers of conflict in the country, with a view to permanently addressing these issues.
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He further advised that the curricula of higher institutions be reviewed to include these drivers of conflict, particularly within the General Studies divisions of such institutions.
He said: "Our youths do not always have sufficient opportunities to reflect on peace, relate it to security, or understand where they are both victims and potential actors in preventing conflict. Workshops like this draw attention to these gaps.
"During my time as governor, I consistently observed that many young people could not articulate or explain the drivers of conflict in their communities. If they do not understand these drivers, or if they make assumptions about them, they cannot effectively contribute to solutions.
"Peace and security are prerequisites for development. The first challenge is ensuring that our youth understand these drivers and the mechanisms available to address them.
"We must ask ourselves: do we understand the common drivers of conflict? Can we propose a shared understanding and communicate it effectively? How can institutions--including religious bodies--enhance understanding and support peacebuilding?
"Religious leaders, whether Muslim or Christian, often wield significant influence, and their messaging can either mislead or guide communities."
He added: "The President's approach to governance emphasises a whole-of-society strategy, recognising that while government resources are important, sustainable solutions require active participation from all sectors, particularly young people.
"Our youth can be agents of change. Through education, social engagement, sports, and civic collaboration, they can build trust across religious and ethnic lines, creating communities where cooperation replaces conflict.
"This approach mirrors how successful Nigerians of previous generations lived in harmony, confident in interacting across regions, religions, and cultures without fear or intimidation.
"We must also recognise the impact of land pressure, resource scarcity, and external influences on insecurity, such as armed groups exploiting vulnerable areas. "Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing strategies that empower youth to prevent and resolve conflicts constructively.
"Search for Common Ground plays a critical role in this process by helping to define the drivers of conflict, communicate them effectively, and promote a shared understanding across communities.
"By educating our youth and equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools, we can foster a more prosperous, harmonious, and inclusive Nigeria--one where religion, tribe, or origin does not divide us, and where young people grow up collaborating, sharing, and building for the common good."
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the workshop provided an opportunity to reflect on how far Nigeria has progressed in implementing the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, and to explore ways of advancing it further.
Represented by a Senior Aide, Tayo Olosunde, the Minister stressed that when conversations turn into conflicts, finding common ground becomes even more essential.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, said the workshop formed part of a framework designed to engage young people in frontline roles as vanguards of peace and security.
Represented by the Director of Education and Youth Development, Despan Kwarden, the Permanent Secretary added that the concept of community-based collaboration, such as the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, aligns with the philosophy underpinning the plan.
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"Even before the plan was developed, the ministry had been working on peacebuilding and conflict resolution initiatives. As far back as 2008 and 2009, we established peace vanguards in universities across the country," he said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Global Director of Children and Youth Programmes at Search for Common Ground, Saji Frelis, said Nigeria was the first country in Africa to develop a National Action Plan (NAP) on Youth, Peace and Security, adding that the current meeting to produce a second plan is forward-looking.
He noted that the new plan should be intergenerational and impact-focused.
"The first NAP was groundbreaking.
However, it is difficult to fully assess its impact because it was largely based on a set of priorities rather than measurable long-term outcomes.
"Today, the world is changing rapidly, and Nigeria has another opportunity to demonstrate leadership and innovation by developing a National Action Plan that is collaborative, impact-oriented, and measurable over time."
