The United Kingdom has reiterated its strong commitment to boost security, peacebuilding, and institutional strength in Nigeria through sustained partnership and targeted programmes.
A major two-day event organised by the UK-funded Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme kicked off in Abuja on Tuesday, convening senior Nigerian government officials, security personnel, civil society representatives, and development partners.
The gathering focused on reviewing evidence-based approaches to curb violence, embed lasting peace mechanisms, and build climate resilience, particularly in northern Nigeria, where conflict and environmental pressures intersect.
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), SPRiNG serves as a key platform to evaluate programme achievements, analyse shifting conflict and climate dynamics, and incorporate insights into future strategies and policies.
In his keynote address, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, underscored that peace and resilience lie at the heart of UK-Nigeria relations, especially given recent security developments and global attention on the country.
"This issue is absolutely central to our partnership with Nigeria and the work of the British High Commission," Montgomery stated.
He described security collaboration as a cornerstone of bilateral ties.
Highlighting Nigeria's rising global and regional prominence, driven by its population growth and leadership role Montgomery noted the 2024 UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership as a foundation for deeper engagement.
"Nigeria is one of our important diplomatic partners. Our judgment is that Nigeria’s influence will only grow," he added.
He outlined that the partnership employs a balanced mix of kinetic (direct security) and non-kinetic (institutional and community-focused) measures, including support for government agencies, community initiatives, law enforcement, and broader resilience-building.
Montgomery praised SPRiNG as a vital "vehicle" for delivering catalytic support and fostering partnerships to advance these efforts.
A representative from the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General A.G. Laka, spoke on the programme's evolution from short-term interventions to building enduring institutional frameworks for sustained stability.
The event was formally opened by a representative of the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, who emphasised strategic communication and inter-agency teamwork in advancing national security.
Representatives from the Ministers of Women Affairs and Livestock Development highlighted the critical connections between gender inclusion, sustainable livelihoods in agropastoral communities, and long-term security gains.
SPRiNG Team Leader Dr Ukoha Ukiwo stressed the programme's evidence-based and adaptive methodology: "Conflict is dynamic, and our solutions must be too. Our focus is ensuring that interventions are not reactive but structurally preventive."
A high-level panel, moderated by Kemi Okenyedo, assessed progress in peace and resilience-building. Contributors included the Director-General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, Ms Josephine Habba; Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security, Dr Sulaiman Shuaibu; and Ms Lantana Abdullahi of WOPPI, who advocated for greater formal inclusion of women in peace and security processes.
The event wrapped up with a Project Fair displaying tangible "peace dividends" delivered to communities in Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau states.
Launched as a four-year initiative (2024–2028), SPRiNG, implemented by Tetra Tech International Development in collaboration with Nextier SPD, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) seeks to enhance institutional capacity for conflict management, restore public trust in key bodies, and promote stronger incentives for peace across Nigeria.
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