An international peace-building initiative targeting conflict-prone border communities has launched in Kwara State, marking the start of a five-state rollout across Nigeria's North Central region. The 'Enhancing Collaboration for Peace and Security Project', funded by France's 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, aims to stabilise frontline communities through structured dialogue.

The project establishes a State Peace Architecture (SPA) tasked with:

Facilitating discussions on emerging conflict threats

Conducting early-warning analyses for peace and security

Mediating problem-solving dialogues between state/non-state actors, community stakeholders, and religious leaders

Kwara joins Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, and Niger States in the initiative, which addresses cross-border tensions exacerbated by farmer-herder clashes and resource disputes. The SPA's creation underscores a shift toward proactive, community-led conflict resolution in regions where insecurity has disrupted livelihoods.

At a multi-stakeholder engagement held in Ilorin, the Kwara State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Co-Chairperson of the State Peace Architecture, 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.

According to her, 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, emphasised the value of community-driven solutions in addressing the root causes of conflict.

Echoing this, a Veteran journalist and media expert, Mr. Tunde Akanbi, urged stakeholders to engage political actors more actively in the peace process.

He lamented that fake news and disinformation, especially on social media, continue to threaten Nigeria's fragile peace.

"Until politicians and those who influence public discourse are brought into the conversation, peace will remain elusive. Misinformation particularly the recycling of outdated incidents fuels unnecessary panic," he said.

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.

"Peace is sustainable only when it begins from the grassroots. What we learn here must be cascaded to our villages, towns, and households," she said.

Organisers revealed plans for advocacy visits to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

They also announced upcoming self-organised training workshops on conflict dynamics to equip community members with tools for early warning and conflict prevention.

Additionally, stakeholders 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. A formal letter of partnership is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.

In her remarks, the Public Relations Officer of State Peace Architecture, Mrs Busayo Aweda reiterated the media's central role in building a culture of peace.

"The media must be an ally in shaping narratives that support unity and coexistence. Responsible journalism can be a bridge to peace," a spokesperson said.

An interactive breakout session followed, allowing participants to reflect on the sustainability structure of the SPA, and a way forward was proposed.