UK-Funded Programme Pushes Peace, Climate Resilience In North

The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme has convened high-level government officials, security agencies, programme partners and civil society leaders in Abuja for its inaugural Annual Learning and Adaptation Event, aimed at strengthening peacebuilding systems and climate resilience across northern Nigeria.

The two-day event brought together key actors to review evidence-based strategies for reducing violence, institutionalising peace, and strengthening resilience in the face of evolving conflict and climate change dynamics in the region.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the forum provided a platform to assess the programme’s progress, test assumptions against changing realities, and integrate lessons learned into future policy and programme planning.

The event featured keynote remarks by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, alongside remarks from a representative of the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General A.G. Laka.

Discussions at the gathering highlighted a significant shift in SPRiNG’s approach—moving beyond ad-hoc peace interventions to strengthening institutional systems and mechanisms capable of delivering sustainable stability.

Speaking at the event, Montgomery emphasised the centrality of peace and resilience to UK–Nigeria bilateral relations. “I can’t think of any topic that is more topical given recent events and recent international commentary on Nigeria. This is a topic which is absolutely central to our partnership with Nigeria, to the work of the British High Commission,” he said.

He also underscored Nigeria’s growing strategic importance to the United Kingdom, noting that Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most important diplomatic partners.

According to him, Nigeria’s influence is expected to continue expanding due to its rapidly growing population, a factor that informed the signing of the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership in 2024.

Montgomery explained that the partnership’s security and defence dialogue incorporates both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, stressing that it involves providing institutional support to federal government agencies, strengthening community-based initiatives, enhancing law enforcement, and building community resilience.

He added that SPRiNG serves as a vehicle and platform through which partners can access catalytic support and build relationships that promote sustainable peace and resilience.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, whose representative delivered the keynote address and formally declared the event open, emphasised the importance of strategic communication and institutional collaboration in promoting national stability.

Representatives of the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, and the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, also spoke at the event.

They highlighted the critical nexus between gender inclusion, agropastoral practices, livelihoods, and national security.

In a context-setting presentation, SPRiNG Team Leader, Ukoha Ukiwo, said the programme’s strength lies in its evidence-driven and adaptive management approach.

He noted that conflict dynamics are constantly changing and require equally adaptive responses.

“Conflict is dynamic; our solutions must be too. Today was about validating the evidence and impacts of our intervention, learning from what, where, and how we are making progress, and ensuring that our support to different government and civil society partners, like the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation and the Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security, are not just reactive, but structurally preventive,” he said.

A high-level panel moderated by Kemi Okenyedo examined progress and emerging opportunities in strengthening peace and resilience.

Panelists included Ms Josephine Habba, Director-General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, who shared insights on interstate collaboration; Dr Sulaiman Shuaibu, Commissioner in the Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security; and Ms Lantana Abdullahi of WOPPI, who called for the formal inclusion of women in peace and security architectures.

The event concluded with a Project Fair, which enabled stakeholders to engage directly with beneficiaries and implementing partners to better understand the practical “peace dividend” being delivered to communities in Benue, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau states.

The SPRiNG Programme is a four-year initiative running from 2024 to 2028, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented by Tetra Tech International Development in partnership with Nextier SPD, the Centre for Democracy and Development, and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

The programme seeks to enhance institutional capacity for conflict management and response, boost public confidence in key institutions, and create stronger incentives for peace across Nigeria.