Faith leaders, government representatives, civil society actors, and community stakeholders have reiterated the importance of dialogue as a tool for sustaining peace and protecting the rights of minority groups in Nigeria. This came during a roundtable discussion organized by the Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA) under the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) project, held at Novel Suites & Resorts, Rayfield, Jos on Tuesday 26th August 2025.
Delivering the keynote address, Sheikh Ghazali Ismail Adam, Chief Imam of Jos, highlighted that dialogue remains central to conflict prevention, reconciliation, and long-term peacebuilding. He emphasized that inclusive conversations, trust-building, and addressing the root causes of conflict are key to fostering social cohesion. According to him, “Dialogue must go beyond talk; it must produce tangible solutions, build empathy, and create safe spaces where diverse voices can be heard and respected.”
Representing the Chief Executive Officer of DIWA, Habila Mohammed Kudu, Project Officer, described the gathering as both an opportunity and a responsibility to advance Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and minority rights. He noted that JISRA’s work across Kaduna and Plateau States since 2021 has shown how dialogue and collaboration among faith communities can overcome division. “This roundtable is not a closure, but a bridge—between what JISRA has achieved and what our communities must now own,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. Dombin, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, underscored the central role of women in peacebuilding. He revealed that the state government has defended a ₦2 billion budgetary allocation for 2026 to address gender-based violence, empower women, and support vulnerable groups. He further disclosed that the state has partnered with the World Bank, contributing ₦250 billion as counterpart funding to train and empower 15,000 women in two phases.
Other speakers at the roundtable stressed community ownership of peace initiatives. Nafisat Abdulazeez of the Crest Centre for Peace and Social Advancement called for intentional efforts to sustain peace, urging communities not to rely solely on government or international organizations. “Even the UN cannot bring peace to a community that doesn’t want it. Peace must be owned by the people themselves,” she said.
In his remarks, Rev. Augustine Akawu Tekan, General Secretary, praised JISRA’s impact in bridging divides and urged participants to take the lessons learned back to their communities. Similarly, Jumai Danuk Tadi, Executive Director of the Victor Dielat Memorial Foundation, reflected on the history of crises in Plateau State and appealed to communities not to forget the lessons from JISRA. “Peace is the foundation for development. Without peace, there can be no progress, no matter how much money is invested,” she stressed.
The roundtable also underscored the need for intergenerational dialogue, insider mediation, and multi-stakeholder platforms as strategies to strengthen peacebuilding efforts. Participants agreed on the importance of transforming dialogue from project-based activities into a way of life, with women, youth, and faith leaders playing central roles in driving sustainability.
The JISRA project is currently being implemented across 10 local government areas and 25 communities in Plateau and Kaduna States, with a focus on promoting FoRB, reducing discrimination, and fostering peaceful coexistence.
