The NCTC Centre engages stakeholders because national security is no longer a one-man show. It requires the active participation of everyone, traditional leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, and local authorities.
At the heart of the engagement was a shared goal: to make Nigeria’s DDR program more inclusive, effective, and sustainable. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, the NCTC is ensuring that peacebuilding efforts reflect the unique realities of each region.
During the South-East session, participants discussed the challenges of post-conflict recovery, the reintegration of ex-combatants, and how communities can play a key role in preventing violence.
The focus was clear harmonisation. The NCTC believes that aligning regional frameworks under one coordinated system will strengthen Nigeria’s national security structure and promote unity across all regions.
How the NCTC Centre Engages Stakeholders for Lasting Peace
The NCTC Centre engages stakeholders not just to talk but to act. The agency’s approach is rooted in collaboration, ensuring that local experiences shape national policy. Through open dialogue, training sessions, and community-based initiatives, the centre builds bridges of trust between citizens and security agencies.
This engagement marks a significant step in improving coordination between the DDR framework and local peacebuilding structures. When stakeholders are involved from the start, the solutions become more relevant, practical, and people-focused.
Representatives from state governments, traditional councils, and NGOs praised the NCTC for its inclusive approach, describing it as “a shift from command to collaboration.”
The Broader Vision Behind the Engagement
Beyond security, the NCTC’s work is about rebuilding confidence in Nigeria’s peace system. By harmonising the DDR framework, the centre aims to ensure that ex-combatants find meaningful reintegration paths through education, skill development, and entrepreneurship.
When communities understand the process and take part in it, reintegration becomes easier, and peace becomes more sustainable. That’s the core of the NCTC’s vision: a Nigeria where former fighters become future builders.
The engagement in the South-East is just one part of a nationwide dialogue that will eventually align every region under one peaceful, functional strategy.
