Global Peace Development Hosts High-Level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Peace in Jos, Plateau State
Global Peace Development (GPD), with support from SPRiNG, Tetra Tech International Development, and ActionAid, hosted a High-Level Policy Dialogue in Jos, Plateau State, bringing together stakeholders from across the region to strengthen community resilience, improve local governance, and chart sustainable pathways for peace across conflict-affected communities in Nigeria.
The event convened traditional rulers, district heads, government agencies, community leaders, security representatives, and civil society actors creating a unified space for dialogue, reflection, and collective action toward lasting peace.
GPD’s Project Director, Ebruke Esike, welcomed participants and acknowledged the presence of district heads, government representatives, and community stakeholders from Plateau and neighboring states.
He highlighted the goals of the PASO Project, implemented in Benue, Plateau, Katsina, and Kaduna, all of which have experienced prolonged conflicts rooted in land use, heritage, and identity. The project aims to strengthen peace structures at the community level and foster dialogue between groups that have historically been in conflict.
Esike emphasized that sustainable peace begins with clarity and collective responsibility.
“A problem clearly defined is already half solved. If we build systems that genuinely create pathways to peace, we can move forward.”
He noted visible improvements in community interactions across Plateau and the North Central region, describing them as early signs of healing.
Participants were divided into four thematic groups, each focusing on community-level resilience and policy solutions tailored to the realities of Plateau State and other participating states.
Group Focus Areas:
1. Community Resilience
2. Local Governance and Inclusive Participation
3. Policy and Institutional Pathways for Sustainable Peace
4. Collaborative Approaches to Early Warning and Response
Key Insights from Groups 1–4:
- Strengthen community mediation teams and local peace committees.
- Improve coordination between traditional leaders, youth groups, and women leaders.
- Build trust between communities and security agencies operating across Plateau State.
- Reinforce policies that address the root causes of farmer–herder conflict.
- Encourage continuous inter-group dialogue across Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and surrounding LGAs.
- Each group presented its findings during plenary, offering actionable recommendations tailored to local realities.
Goodwill Messages: One Shared Message Peace Must Be Deliberate
Stakeholders delivered goodwill remarks, each underscoring the same message: peace is intentional, not accidental.
Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) Representative Mr. Kenneth Dakop
Highlighted the need to move beyond recounting grievances and focus on problem-solving strategies that communities can implement immediately.
Ministry of Livestock & Animal Production Representative
Emphasized the importance of structured dialogue between pastoralists and farmers across Plateau and neighboring regions.
Local Government Chairman / Community Leadership
Called on participants to bring the lessons of the dialogue back to their communities across Plateau State.
The collective message reinforced that peace cannot be left to chance it must be built intentionally, daily, and collaboratively.
A significant segment of the dialogue focused on identifying policy and institutional reforms that can strengthen peace efforts across Plateau State.
Recommendations included:
– Clearer land-use and grazing policies
– Stronger institutional coordination between state agencies, local governments, and security forces
– Support for early-warning mechanisms across Plateau’s conflict-prone communities
– Enhancement of traditional dispute-resolution systems
– Community-driven data collection on emerging tensions
Stakeholders agreed that community actions must be supported by strong, responsive institutions at the state and federal levels.
In his closing remarks, Ebruke Esike commended all participants for their active engagement and thoughtful contributions. He emphasized the need for stakeholders to translate insights from the dialogue into immediate actions within their various communities across Plateau and beyond.
> “Let us not return to the cycle of lamentation. Every community in Plateau State can take action. Peace is our collective responsibility.”
He thanked SPRiNG, Tetra Tech International Development, and ActionAid for their support in making the dialogue possible.
The High-Level Policy Dialogue in Jos, Plateau State, ended with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. With strengthened partnerships between communities, government institutions, and development partners, Global Peace Development continues to drive meaningful progress toward reconciliation, resilience, and sustainable peace under the PASO Project.
