Stakeholders from Plateau and neighboring states have called for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration, continuous dialogue, and practical policy reforms to address the rising cases of cross-border conflicts and promote inclusive governance for sustainable peace across the region.
The call was made at the end of a two-day Multi-Agency and Multi-Sectoral Roundtable Discussion on “Cross-Border Conflicts and Diversity Management Towards a Sustainable Peace Architecture in Plateau State,” held from October 7–8, 2025, at Novel Suites, Jos. The meeting brought together key representatives from security agencies, government ministries, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organizations, and international development partners.
The communique, read by Alhaji Ibrahim Sale Hassan, Senior National Expert Adviser, HD Nigeria, acknowledged that the persistence of violent conflicts in Plateau State is linked to the complex web of border-related disputes, ethno-religious tensions, and governance challenges involving neighboring states such as Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Taraba.
Participants identified key drivers of conflict, including farmer-herder clashes, land and boundary disputes, banditry, arms and human trafficking, drug trade, and the negative influence of social media, among others. They also highlighted environmental pressures, socio-economic inequalities, and weak institutional coordination as factors fueling instability in border communities.
The meeting noted growing threats from transnational criminal actors and mercenaries, and emphasized the urgent need for stronger cross-border coordination and enforcement of the ECOWAS Protocol on transhumance and border management.
Key Recommendations
On Cross-Border Management, the stakeholders recommended:
- Continuous multi-stakeholder engagement to identify and address emerging border security threats.
- Greater leadership from Deputy Governors in initiating structured frameworks for cross-border peacebuilding.
- Empowering traditional rulers with constitutional recognition to strengthen local governance.
- Sustained dialogue and peaceful engagement in areas affected by boundary demarcation disputes.
- Support for the Federal Government’s establishment of forest guards to secure ungoverned spaces, replicating the Gashaka-Gumti model.
- Humanizing security by prioritizing the environment, economy, healthcare, and food security in peace strategies.
- Encouraging private sector involvement in job creation, infrastructure, and development of border communities.
On Diversity Management, participants urged deliberate efforts by leaders to promote inclusion, fairness, and equitable resource distribution. They called for a national rebranding campaign to foster unity and shared identity, alongside constitutional reforms that promote equity and justice.
A gender and disability audit was also recommended to address the huge representation gap within the formal sector.
Acknowledgements and Next Steps
The communique acknowledged the facilitation of Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) Nigeria, in partnership with the Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PPBA) and with the support of GIZ, for convening the forum and sustaining dialogue on peacebuilding in the state.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Ahmed Yassin, Lead Facilitator, HD Nigeria, commended the level of engagement and emphasized that peacebuilding is an ongoing process that requires partnership, inclusivity, and collective responsibility.
“Dialogue is not a one-time event; it is a continuous process,” Dr. Yassin stated. “Violence is a shared threat, and therefore, we must work towards shared solutions. The next step is to broaden this engagement, bringing together deputy governors and stakeholders from neighboring states to jointly address these cross-border issues.”
The roundtable reaffirmed participants’ commitment to sustaining dialogue and collaboration toward building a more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Plateau State and its neighboring regions.
