Abuja: Search for Common Ground (SFCG) Nigeria, an international peacebuilding organization focused on ending violent conflict, has called for the adoption of targeted strategies to strengthen peace initiatives across the Nigeria-Benin border. The Country Director of SFCG, Mr. About Ouattara, made the call at a High-Level Dissemination of Research Findings on the Maturity Index of the Peace Architecture Platforms in Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi States.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the project, under the Nigeria-Benin Border Peace Initiative: Enhancing Collaboration for Peace and Security (ECPS) initiative, was organized by SFCG in collaboration with the French Embassy in Abuja. Ouattara stated that the Nigeria-Benin Border Project Maturity Index Assessment Report aimed to bolster peace and security in border communities across Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States. The maturity index provided a clear framework for measuring the effectiveness of peace platforms across five areas: governance and structure, community engagement, resource availability, conflict mitigation capacity, and resilience.
Ouattara emphasized that SFCG is committed to fostering collaboration across divided lines. While conflict is inevitable, the goal is to prevent it from escalating into violence. “We are working on the Niger-Nigeria and Benin border because they face many problems like banditry and other violence,” he noted, underscoring the importance of peaceful collaboration for maintaining economic relationships across the border.
The findings from the research extend beyond academic exercise, serving as a practical tool for mobilizing resources, deepening grassroots participation, and strengthening early warning systems to help Nigeria and other countries prevent conflicts from becoming violent. Ketty Regis, the Cooperation Attach© at the French Embassy, stressed the significance of peace and noted the French Embassy’s partnership with SFCG in promoting peacebuilding, mediation, and collaboration between Benin and Nigeria.
Andy Nkemneme, the National Conflict and Policy Analyst with SFCG Nigeria, explained that the organization’s peacebuilding approach involves establishing community, local government, and state-level peace architectures. The research assessed whether these structures had matured enough to operate independently, with Niger State reaching maturity, while Kebbi and Kwara States are progressing towards it.
According to him, the maturity index offers a clear framework for evaluating the effectiveness of peace platforms, and several strategic recommendations have been developed to address existing gaps. These include enhancing conflict resolution capabilities, establishing rapid response units, promoting local participation, representing marginalized groups, and strengthening systems for dynamic responses. Additionally, developing feedback loops, scaling resource mobilization efforts, reinforcing leadership structures, and formalizing inter-platform linkages were highlighted.
Ms. Remikat Ayuba, the project manager for the Nigerian-Benin Border Community Peace Initiative, noted that the project aims to promote peace and security across five states: Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina. States’ peace architecture platforms were established to ensure sustainability beyond the project’s lifespan. Beneficiary states praised SFCG and its partner for the initiative, committing to ongoing support.
Dr. Diamond Nebechukwu, Niger State Chairperson SPA and Director, Abdulsalam Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies Minna, emphasized the need to institutionalize and extend the peace architecture to the grassroots.