What's Happening?
Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre, has been appointed to a high-level expert team tasked by Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) with developing a comprehensive National Peace Framework. This initiative aims
to evaluate and address both entrenched and emerging threats in Nigeria, a nation grappling with insurgency, banditry, and deepening sectarian divides. Fr. Barkindo highlights that Nigerians often identify more with their tribal, political, or religious affiliations than with a national identity, leading to a fractured society. He criticizes the lack of a deliberate government policy focused on creating social cohesion and points to a compromised security apparatus. The team's mandate is to synthesize existing peace frameworks into a single national blueprint, establish a coordinating institution with a dedicated budget, and ensure government agencies with peace mandates fulfill their roles. The framework seeks to address unaddressed historical grievances and the increasing ethnic, religious, regional, and political divisions, which Fr. Barkindo considers the greatest threats to Nigeria's corporate existence.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is crucial for Nigeria's long-term stability and national unity. The absence of a cohesive national identity and the prevalence of deep-seated divisions have historically fueled conflicts and hindered development. By creating a National Peace Framework, the government acknowledges the need for a structured approach to peacebuilding, moving beyond solely kinetic military interventions. The framework's focus on addressing structural inequalities, historical grievances, and the lack of social cohesion is vital because these underlying issues are often exploited by extremist groups and contribute to widespread insecurity. The involvement of figures like Fr. Barkindo, who advocate for education and inter-religious tolerance, signals a potential shift towards more holistic solutions. If successful, this framework could foster a stronger sense of national belonging, reduce sectarian violence, and create a more stable environment for economic growth and social progress. Conversely, failure to effectively implement this framework could exacerbate existing tensions, further fragment society, and perpetuate cycles of violence and instability.
What's Next?
The expert team has until October, with a potential extension, to finalize the National Peace Framework and oversee its initial implementation. A key next step will be the establishment of a coordinating institution, backed by a budget and resources, to manage peace initiatives across the country, down to the community level. The framework aims to provide a national blueprint for peace interventions, guiding various organizations and sub-national regions. The Kukah Centre, which serves as the secretariat for the National Peace Committee, will continue its efforts to promote peaceful elections, particularly in the lead-up to the highly polarized 2027 presidential elections. The committee has already facilitated a peace accord among presidential candidates, urging them to avoid divisive rhetoric and focus on issue-based campaigns. Future efforts will include advocating for the codification of the peace accord into the Electoral Act to ensure compliance and accountability. Addressing the lack of social cohesion within security agencies and combating corruption will also be critical for the framework's success, alongside promoting widespread access to secular education to counter extremism.
Beyond the Headlines
The development of a National Peace Framework in Nigeria delves into the profound ethical and cultural dimensions of nation-building in a post-colonial state. The historical legacy of indirect rule by the British, which preserved Islamic institutions in the north while imposing direct rule in the south, created a dual legal system and entrenched religious and ethnic distinctions that continue to challenge national unity. This has led to a situation where religious and tribal identities often overshadow a common Nigerian identity, fostering structural discrimination and a lack of equal citizenship. The framework implicitly confronts the ethical dilemma of balancing religious freedom with secular governance, especially when state resources are used to promote specific religious activities. Furthermore, the emphasis on education as a tool for de-radicalization and social cohesion highlights a long-term cultural shift needed to counter extremist ideologies. The challenge lies not just in policy implementation but in transforming deeply ingrained societal attitudes and historical narratives to forge a truly inclusive national identity, where citizens prioritize their shared Nigerian identity over narrower affiliations.
