In Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, emphasized the critical role of Nigeria’s youth in combating insurgency and violent extremism. Addressing a workshop on revising the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security, Bagudu highlighted complex religious messaging and the lack of understanding of conflict drivers as significant factors contributing to the persistence of violent extremism. He questioned how advanced weaponry, such as AK-47 rifles, reaches non-state actors involved in insurgency.
To tackle these challenges, Bagudu proposed utilizing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to educate young people about the primary and secondary drivers of conflict within the country. He also suggested revising the curricula of higher institutions to include these drivers, particularly in General Studies courses.
Bagudu emphasized the need for youth to have opportunities to reflect on peace and security, as well as their roles as both victims and potential actors in conflict prevention. He cited his experience as governor, noting that many young people struggled to articulate 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, “he.
The Minister acknowledged the influence of religious leaders in shaping community perspectives and encouraged them to promote peaceful messaging. He echoed the President’s approach to governance, emphasizing the importance of a whole-of-society strategy involving active participation from all sectors, including young people. Bagudu emphasized the potential of youth as agents of change through education, social engagement, sports, and civic collaboration.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, highlighted the workshop’s role in reflecting on Nigeria’s progress in implementing the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security. She stressed the importance of community-based collaboration, such as the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, in advancing the plan’s goals.
Saji Frelis, the Global Director of Children and Youth Programmes at Search for Common Ground, noted that Nigeria was the first African country to develop a National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security. He emphasized the need for the new plan to be intergenerational and impact-focused, acknowledging the challenges in fully assessing the impact of the current plan due to its reliance on priorities rather than measurable long-term outcomes.
Source: allafrica
