Stakeholders in governance, peacebuilding and human rights have underscored community resilience as a critical strategy for preventing and countering violent extremism in Kogi State and across Nigeria.
The position was advanced during Episode 16 of the Open Governance Forum (OGF), a radio programme organised by the Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA-NIGERIA) in partnership with the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), with support from Situation Room–FCDO, Nigeria.
Speaking on the programme, Hamza Aliyu, Executive Director of INGRA-NIGERIA, alongside Comrade Idris Miliki, Executive Director of CHRCR, described community resilience as the collective ability of communities to resist radicalisation, promote peaceful coexistence and respond promptly to early warning signs of violent extremism.
They noted that communities are often the first to observe suspicious activities and emerging threats, placing them at the centre of any effective prevention and early-response strategy.
The speakers identified poverty, youth unemployment, social exclusion, weak governance and the spread of misinformation as major drivers of violent extremism in Nigeria, particularly in Kogi State. They stressed that addressing these root causes requires inclusive governance, social accountability and active citizen participation, rather than reliance on security measures alone.
Highlighting the role of vulnerable groups, the experts described youths and women as both the most affected by insecurity and the most influential actors in building sustainable peace. They called for increased investment in education, skills development, economic empowerment and leadership opportunities to reduce vulnerability to extremist recruitment.
On the issue of mistrust between communities, government and security agencies, the guests advocated stronger collaboration through dialogue, transparency, community policing and effective information-sharing mechanisms.
They also warned against the growing use of propaganda and false narratives by extremist groups, urging communities to counter such narratives by promoting peace messages, strengthening digital literacy and engaging in interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
The speakers concluded by calling on citizens to take personal responsibility for building safer and more resilient communities, especially during the festive season, by remaining vigilant, promoting tolerance and reporting suspicious activities through appropriate channels.
The Open Governance Forum continues to serve as a platform for citizen engagement and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening democracy, peacebuilding and inclusive development in Nigeria.
