The Federal Government has said it is seeking to strengthen Nigeria’s conflict prevention framework through improved early warning and response systems, amid persistent security challenges across the country and the wider African region.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing an engagement session on the strengthening and capacity building of the National Early Warning Response Group.
He was represented at the event by the spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
In his address, Tuggar said the engagement session was organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in collaboration with Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria, a project supported by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The minister said the partnership was aimed at improving collaboration among members of the National Early Warning Response Group and building a more effective Early Warning and Early Response system.
“This initiative, without a doubt, demonstrates your dedication and commitment to fulfilling your mandate, particularly in preventing conflict, building resilience, enhancing security, promoting regional cooperation, and ensuring socio-economic development in Nigeria and across Africa,” he said.
Tuggar noted that countries around the world continue to face violent conflict and insecurity, including political instability, banditry, terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime.
He said climate change and the spread of small arms and light weapons had worsened insecurity, particularly in the Sahel region.
“We must acknowledge the imperative of a comprehensive, data-driven, and effective Early Warning and Early Response system in addressing the multitude of peace and security challenges confronting the world,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s responses to security threats were guided by the 4-D Foreign Policy Doctrine of the current administration, which focuses on development, diaspora, demography and democratic consolidation.
Tuggar referenced Nigeria’s role in responding to political instability in neighbouring countries as part of its regional security efforts.
“Nigeria has continually evolved strategic pathways to confront these challenges and address threats to peace and security both within our nation and across Africa,” he said.
According to the minister, the engagement session was intended to improve coordination, early warning reporting and response among stakeholders involved in peace and security.
“In essence, we are committed to enhancing collaboration, improving early warning reporting, and strengthening corresponding responses from stakeholders across the peace and security ecosystem in Nigeria and Africa,” he said.
He said participants drawn from different institutions would contribute to the National Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System coordinated by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Nigeria has in recent years grappled with complex and overlapping security challenges ranging from insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West to farmer–herder clashes, separatist agitations and communal conflicts in other parts of the country.
These challenges have not only resulted in loss of lives and displacement of communities but have also strained governance structures, disrupted livelihoods and slowed socio-economic development.
Across the wider West African and Sahel regions, similar threats driven by political instability, porous borders and the proliferation of small arms have continued to undermine peace and regional stability.
