Stakeholders across various sectors have commended the success of the “Building Stability, Access to Justice, and Preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence” project, spearheaded by International Alert Nigeria. The 18-month initiative, which was implemented in Zamfara and Kaduna states, has been hailed as a significant step forward in empowering local communities to take ownership of their peacebuilding processes and address conflicts independently.

Dr. Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, speaking during the project’s close-out meeting in Abuja on Thursday noted that the 18-month project, implemented in Zamfara and Kaduna states, has made significant strides in empowering communities to take charge of their peacebuilding processes and resolve disputes independently.

“We have encapsulated our work in a document called the ‘Community Justice and Stability Plans,’ which outlines the priorities identified by the communities themselves across key themes such as stability, access to justice, accountability, and preventing sexual and gender-based violence,” Dr. Paul explained.

The document details what communities can do on their own and what they need support to achieve, particularly in engaging with local and state governments. “We created platforms for policy alignment, ensuring that community priorities sit alongside government policies. This has fostered conversations on how policies can better respond to community needs as outlined in the document,” he added.

Dr. Nyulaku-Bemshima acknowledged the difficulty in quantifying the impact of the project but emphasized its broad reach. “The impact extends far beyond the over 3,000 people directly engaged. We held National Stability Dialogues with over 130 delegates, numerous local community dialogues, and state-level engagements. In the nine communities and four local governments where the project was implemented, the ripple effects are immeasurable, as some communities have started training others.”

He stressed the need to scale up these efforts, noting, “To make a lasting impact, it is crucial to expand these initiatives. We must continue to empower governments and communities to manage conflicts peacefully. Many of the conflicts we see today, like the farmer-herder disputes, have escalated due to poor conflict management. What began as local disputes has turned into widespread banditry, making resolution more challenging.”

Dr. Nyulaku-Bemshima highlighted the carefully selected themes of the project—justice, stability, and gender-based violence—as critical to addressing the conflict context in the Northwest. Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of expanding the project to more local governments and states, building on the lessons learned from Zamfara and Kaduna.

“Sustainability, for us, lies in the capacity we’ve built within these communities. Traditional rulers have found the training invaluable, gaining a better understanding of how to engage and monitor disputes. In Kaduna, we collaborated with the Multi-Door Courthouse to train communities and raise awareness about alternative dispute resolution. Although Zamfara lacks a Multi-Door Courthouse, this project has inspired them to develop a bill to establish one, increasing access to justice for those affected by conflict.”

Dr. Nyulaku-Bemshima also noted that other states are beginning to see the need for peace commissions, inspired by the peer learning sessions organized through the project. “These commissions will help government policies better respond to instability and insecurity. Our goal is to ensure that the progress made during this project continues, particularly the community-driven initiatives outlined in the Community Justice and Stability Plans. Even as the project ends, the engagement and empowerment of these communities will carry on.”

Speaking to newsmen, Cliff Gai, Program Lead for the UK Integrated Security Fund, commended the project for creating and strengthening platforms that have effectively advocated against sexual and gender-based violence. He highlighted the project’s success in reinforcing both formal and informal judicial institutions at the community level, ensuring that access to justice is available for resolving grievances. “These efforts are complemented by support for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms within communities,” he said.

Gai also noted the significant progress made in enhancing safe spaces for women and other vulnerable groups. “We are all aware that this is a region where women have traditionally been seen but not heard. However, through these initiatives, women are becoming integral to peacebuilding and decision-making processes.”

He emphasized the importance of the Community Justice and Stability Plans developed with the communities, stating, “Funding is never forever. The key achievement here is the strengthening of stakeholders at the community level—individuals, groups, and community-based organizations—so they can continue the work independently. It’s crucial that the efforts don’t end with the project. Thanks to the approach used, those empowered by the project will carry on the good work, with or without our presence.”

Gai concluded by stressing the overall objective: “Strengthening stability is our ultimate goal. We know that in the absence of peace, there can be no development.”

The project was funded through the Integrated Security Fund (ISF), a UK initiative aimed at supporting community efforts that promote peacebuilding, access to justice, and alternative dispute resolution.

The close-out event brought together stakeholders from Zamfara and Kaduna states, including government officials, civil servants, traditional rulers, and implementing partners.

Ebruke Onajife Esike, Executive Director of Global Peace Development and an implementing partner of the project, emphasized the importance of the safe houses constructed in the communities. “Across Nigeria, many projects claim to have virtual safe spaces, but when women and girls experience violations, and their perpetrators are also their breadwinners, they have no voice as long as they remain in the same house. What this project has done is create physical protective spaces with integrated water systems, providing them with a safe haven while justice processes unfold.”

Other stakeholders also shared their impressions of the project in separate goodwill messages.

The Zamfara State Commissioner of Women and Children Affairs, Dr. Nafisa Mohammed, acknowledged the substantial support her ministry received during the project. “The support from International Alert came at a critical time, as the state’s insecurity crisis has disproportionately affected women and children.”

The Director of the Kaduna Multi-Door Courthouse noted, “International Alert has been instrumental in bringing the vision of access to justice to life. The impact of their work has extended beyond the courthouse. Communities have been empowered, trust in the legal system has improved, and there is renewed hope for those who had been hopeless. These are accomplishments we can all be proud of. As this chapter closes, I encourage us all to carry forward the lessons learned and the spirit of collaboration that has defined this project. Let us continue to champion the cause of justice, particularly through strengthening the informal legal system.”

Alhaji Isyaku Ibrahim, Sole Administrator of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area in Zamfara, said, “The project assisted in mediating between Fulani herders and farmers. As a result, some issues have been settled amicably, leading to increased peace and improve farming. We know the importance of peace—nothing can be achieved without it.”

Alhaji Aliyu Adamu Barmo, Sole Administrator of Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State, added, “In my local government, I have been receiving reports from my team, the district head, and the secretary on the efforts of International Alert in capacity building on gender-based violence awareness and building peace among our people, including some of the interventions under the safe space initiative through the construction of boreholes and other projects delivered during the course of the project. I believe with the team that has worked on this, we will be able to sustain the gains achieved by the project.”

Mallam Saidu Umoru, District Head of Kafanchan in Kaduna, expressed his gratitude for the initiative, saying, “This project has curbed excesses in our community. Older generations remember a time when these problems did not exist because we were taught to protect each other’s rights. Insecurity today is the result of selfishness. The knowledge we’ve gained will be applied in our daily lives to continue where they left off. Even as the project ends, we should continue to supervise its progress. You don’t plant a seed and leave it unattended; you have to keep checking whether it is growing or not.”

The project was implemented in nine communities across Kaduna and Zamfara states, specifically in Jema’a and Chikun LGAs in Kaduna, and Birnin Magaji and Tsafe LGAs in Zamfara, according to the Project Manager of International Alert, Sunday Jimoh.