Abayomi Susan
The United Nations (UN) has called on Nigerian youth to move beyond advocating for inclusion and become active drivers of peace by taking concrete steps to prevent conflict, strengthen social cohesion and contribute to building safer, more resilient communities.
The charge was delivered during a high-level youth dialogue convened by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Nigeria in Abuja, where young peacebuilders, civil society representatives and peace practitioners gathered to examine how the energy, creativity and leadership of young people can be harnessed to advance sustainable peace across the country.
Organised by the Peace and Development Unit of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the dialogue was held at the UN House on Wednesday under the theme, “Hear Us. Act Now for a Peaceful World.”
A central message from the event was that young people must transition from being observers to becoming active participants in peacebuilding efforts.
Speaking at the event, the Peace and Development Adviser in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Ms. Grace Kpohazoude, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to amplifying youth voices and promoting meaningful intergenerational dialogue.
She, however, stressed that genuine peacebuilding requires more than conversations about inclusion, urging young Nigerians to translate their aspirations into volunteerism, advocacy, grassroots mobilisation and community-driven initiatives capable of fostering lasting peace.
The dialogue featured presentations by Dr. Joseph Ochogwu of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Rev. John Joseph Hayab of the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Emmanuel Nkanta of the National Peace Committee, and Dr. Arome Salifu of the Africa Youth Growth Foundation.
The speakers examined the critical role of young people in leadership, conflict prevention, community engagement and building resilient societies, maintaining that sustainable peace cannot be achieved by government institutions alone.
They noted that enduring peace is built daily through integrity, ethical leadership, dialogue, accountability and active community service.
The dialogue comes amid Nigeria’s persistent security and socio-economic challenges, including violent extremism, banditry, communal conflicts, displacement, poverty and social exclusion, which continue to undermine national stability and development.
Participants observed that while young people are often among those most affected by conflict, they also possess enormous potential to serve as agents of prevention, reconciliation and community resilience rather than being vulnerable to recruitment by violent groups.
This perspective aligns with the UN’s Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, established under UN Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognises the indispensable role of young people in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery.
The framework is anchored on five key pillars—participation, protection, prevention, partnerships, and disengagement and reintegration—with subsequent UN resolutions reinforcing the importance of meaningful youth participation in peace processes and governance.
In Nigeria, the UN has continued to support youth-led peacebuilding initiatives, including community-based early warning and early response mechanisms in parts of the North-West aimed at preventing conflicts before they escalate.
Participants at the Abuja Peace Circle agreed that peacebuilding should not be limited to commemorative events or public declarations but must become a sustained process driven by continuous engagement and collective responsibility.
During interactive sessions, participants explored strategies for strengthening grassroots peace initiatives, promoting transparent and accountable leadership, expanding collaboration among stakeholders and creating platforms that enable young people to influence decision-making and implement practical solutions.
The speakers also underscored dialogue as one of the most effective instruments for resolving divisions, building trust and preventing conflicts, warning that leadership devoid of integrity and societies that neglect inclusion often create conditions that fuel instability.
A major outcome of the dialogue was the consensus that Nigeria must move beyond policy declarations by empowering young people through mentorship, community service, advocacy, civic participation and conflict mediation.
Participants further called for increased investment in youth-led peacebuilding initiatives and stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, faith-based bodies, academic institutions and development partners.
Among the recommendations adopted were the institutionalisation of the Abuja Peace Circle as a regular platform for intergenerational dialogue, the establishment of a WhatsApp community to sustain engagement and expanded mentorship opportunities for emerging peacebuilders.
The participants maintained that while young people are frequently invited to discussions on peace, they are often denied the resources, influence and decision-making opportunities required to drive meaningful change.
They concluded that youth inclusion must extend beyond consultation to genuine partnership, trust and investment in young people’s capacity to lead.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to collective action and inclusive leadership, with participants affirming that Nigeria’s future peace and stability can only be achieved through the meaningful participation and leadership of its youth.
