In a bid to foster peace and security in the Niger Delta region, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) as part of its long term strategy of promoting sustainable peace and economic development in the Niger Delta, and has collaborated with the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) to spearhead the validation of the Niger Delta Regional Peacebuilding Strategy (NDRPS) Document. The event, which held in Akwa Ibom State, marks a significant step towards enhancing stability and development in the area.

The initiative follows the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG), comprising 45 relevant stakeholders, tasked with supporting the design and drafting of the NDRPS document. PIND and MNDD organized a series of town hall meetings across the nine Niger Delta states, gathering input from various stakeholders including CSTS, security agencies, academia, CSOs, multinationals, and traditional institutions. This inclusive approach aimed to document perspectives on peace and security challenges and proposed solutions.

Following a literature review, stakeholder feedback, and data analysis, a strategic document was drafted and subsequently reviewed during a meeting at the MNDD office in Abuja in January 2024. At the validation workshop, Dr. David  Udofia, representing the Executive Director of PIND Tunji Idowu, emphasized the power of collaborative efforts and strategic alliances in addressing regional challenges. He underscored PIND’s commitment to engaging peace actors through programs like Partners for Peace (P4P), which has successfully mitigated over 10,0 thousand conflicts in the Niger Delta.

Mr. Gora Adams, Deputy Director of Community Development, representing the Minister of MNDD, commended PIND’s contribution to the development of the NDRPS document. He assured that the Ministry would support the outcomes of the validation workshop, forwarding them to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for necessary implementation.

Breakout sessions allowed stakeholders to provide valuable input for updating the NDRPS document. Dr. Iboro Nelson of Silverline Development Initiatives stressed the urgency of systematic economic empowerment to address youth unemployment, a key driver of conflict. Emmanuel Peter, Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, highlighted the importance of citizenship awareness for fostering inclusivity and harmonious community living.

Representatives from security agencies, state Ministries of Planning and Budget, civil society organizations, academia, and other stakeholders across the nine Niger Delta states also attended the validation workshop.

PIND officially handed over the NDRPS document to MNDD at the conclusion of the validation process, marking a significant milestone. The strategic document is set to be launched in the second quarter of 2024.

The development of the NDRPS aligns with the federal government’s commitment to ensuring peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region, following a presidential directive to the MNDD in 2021. With anticipation running high among Niger Delta residents, there is hope that the finalized document will effectively address prevailing issues of violence in the region in the years to come.