This article is written by Agnes Okoh, Project Coordinator, Carifika Network for Sustainable Development (CNSD).

  • The problem: In our pursuit of community peacebuilding in Nigerian urban centres, the challenge lies in tailoring social policies to address complex socio-economic disparities fuelling conflicts.
  • Why it matters: This matters because enduring peace is foundational to community prosperity and building positive narratives.
  • The solution: The solution involves a redesign of the process to one which fosters collaboration, develops an understanding of local dynamics, and addresses root causes and not just surface issues.

In the midst of diverse Nigerian communities in Benue state, I found myself spearheading a project on community peacebuilding in Nigeria’s North-Central region, collaborating closely with local government entities. The intricacies of this initiative were magnified by the historical context of Nigeria's amalgamation in 1914. It was a colonial act driven more by administrative convenience than cultural coherence which set the stage for political disagreements and suspicions.

My role as a project coordinator involved navigating through these historical fault lines to develop effective means of uniting communities and fostering dialogue.

Layers of complexity and local dynamics

The conflict in the Benue region, a part of Nigeria's Middle Belt where the project was based, added a layer of complexity. The historical and religious animosities exacerbated by colonial policies have been a source of political crises, ethnic conflicts, and even violent insurgencies.

By sharing this narrative, I aim to break away from the conventional notion of policy development as a linear process.

The project underscored the importance of crafting a range of engagement methodologies tailored to the local dynamics of each community. It challenged me to bridge the gap between community expectations and government protocols, emphasising the necessity of effective communication and negotiation with local authorities. Moving forward, the experience informs a commitment to proactive community engagement and a deeper understanding of the local nuances before implementing policies.

Sharing this experience is an invitation to recognise the transformative potential of authentic community-centric peace-building projects. The key takeaway is that sustainable peace requires a holistic approach, addressing historical grievances, socio-economic disparities, and the intersection of religious and ethnic identities. By fostering collaboration at entry level, understanding local dynamics, and crafting social policies that resonate with the community, we can aspire to build enduring harmony in Nigerian urban communities.

Getting to the heart of each community

Our immersion in community peacebuilding revealed that the intricacies of effective social policies demand more than a cursory understanding of local dynamics; they require a profound engagement with the historical and socio-economic fabric of the community. In one particular farming community, the historical grievances had gotten to the point of creating security issues that led to food shortages. This case was especially challenging and underscored the imperative that peace-building initiatives couldn't be generic — they needed to delve into the root causes rather than merely addressing surface conflicts.

The challenge in navigating this complex landscape was multifold and would lead to conversations around land ownership and cooperative measures between different tribes.

The challenge further accentuated the need for a nuanced approach that goes beyond conflict resolution skills. This made me recall my previous research on the concept of a less centralised policy design route and how communities would gain more from playing a bigger role in the policy design process. It became evident that sustainable peace requires adept negotiation with local authorities, who themselves are often held back by bureaucratic processes. Recognising the importance of inclusive governance, our approach evolved to actively involve government representatives and community members in unravelling the deep-rooted issues and unveiling the most pressing issues. This proactive engagement aimed to build stronger bridges of communication, fostering evidence-based solutions.

💬 Let the author know what you think about community oriented policymaking leaving a comment below

In hindsight, the lessons learned from this situation inform a strategic shift in future endeavours. While recognising the intertwined historical, socio-economic, and political factors, the approach will involve comprehensive community consultations and impact assessments. The focus will be on co-creating tailored social policies that address the unique challenges of each community while acknowledging historical nuances and socio-economic disparities. The emphasis on negotiation skills and inclusive governance will remain central as we strive to forge enduring peace that transcends immediate conflicts, acknowledging the deep-seated roots of discord in the fabric of Nigeria's complex history and diverse communities.

A collaborative and cyclical endeavour

By unveiling the intricacies of our community-centric peace-building project, my intention is to illuminate the transformative potential embedded in initiatives that prioritise the unique dynamics of each community, such as citizen labs. The key takeaway from this experience is a testament to the fact that sustainable peace is not a unilateral achievement but an outcome of a collaborative effort. It relies on understanding, empathy, and a deep appreciation for the local contexts that shape the fabric of urban communities.

By sharing this narrative, I aim to break away from the conventional notion of policy development as a linear process and instead advocate for an approach that recognises its cyclical and iterative nature. It is a process that requires continuous adaptation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to addressing the root causes of discord.

Done reading? Make sure to share your own tips on policymaking in complex contexts leaving a comment below ⬇️

(Image credit: Pexels)