SPRiNG Programme Supports Inter-State Collaboration to Improve Security in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States.

Barr. Samuel Ode, Deputy Governor of Benue State, has called on national and international organisations to join hands to promote peace and security in the Benue Valley. Barr Ode made the remarks at the opening of a two-day Interstate Workshop on Collaborative Approaches to Enhancing Peacebuilding in Addressing Conflicts across Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States, organised by the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation (BECPR) and the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme. He urged the participants which included representatives of government, civil society and international organisations working in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba, to  ‘look at peacebuilding as a journey, not a destination. Our shared borders mean our destinies are interconnected. Strengthening coordination and collaboration across these states is the only way we can truly secure our communities from conflict and external threats.”

Ms. Josephine Habah, Director General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Resilience, emphasised the need for collaboration beyond state boundaries:
“As we foster partnerships among the three states, my expectation is that we empower the traditional and religious leaders who truly hold their communities. We must dig deep to understand the real root causes of conflict not just farmer-herder clashes and co-create meaningful, long-term strategies for peace.”

The two-day event focused on addressing root causes of farmer-herder clashes, illegal mining, and boundary disputes, issues that have displaced communities, disrupted livelihoods, and undermined socio-economic development in North Central Nigeria. By promoting interstate collaboration, the workshop sought to embed peacebuilding into governance systems, enhance natural resource management, and build trust among diverse groups.

Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, SPRiNG Team Lead, said: “SPRiNG is about behavioural and institutional change. We work with governments, civil society, and communities to promote non-violent approaches to conflict resolution. This workshop reflects our belief that sustainable peace requires collaboration across state borders, inclusive engagement, and trust-building among all stakeholders.”

Graham Gass, Senior Social Development Adviser at the British High Commission, reinforced the UK’s support: “We designed the SPRiNG programme to support well-meaning stakeholders in their search for peaceful, practical solutions to the complex conflicts affecting Nigeria’s North Central region. This workshop must lead to concrete, timely actions that make sense within the realities of the communities affected. Only through collaboration, mutual understanding, and follow-through can we truly shift from conflict to sustainable peace.”

Participants developed a joint action plan with several key outcomes and commitments. These included enhancing interstate synergy through a defined framework for conflict prevention and resolution, improving natural resource governance by involving communities in decision-making and revitalising degraded grazing reserves, and strengthening local peace architectures by training advocates and linking peacebuilding initiatives to long-term development goals.

The workshop marked a critical step toward institutionalising interstate peace mechanisms. SPRiNG will continue to support the implementation of the action plan through technical assistance, research, and community-led projects, ensuring alignment with its broader goals of reducing violence and enhancing climate resilience.

About SPRiNG

The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme is a four-year initiative (2024-2028) funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It aims to enhance institutional capacity for conflict management and response, boost public confidence in key institutions, and create greater incentives for peace. 

For media inquiries, please contact:  

Damian Ihekoronye 

Coalition and Advocacy Lead

[email protected]