The Executive Director of The Kukah Centre, Fr. Atta Barkindo, Ph.D., has been selected to serve as a member of the Expert Review Team for the review and development of Nigeria’s National Peace Framework (NPF), an initiative of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The National Peace Framework is being developed to strengthen Nigeria’s peace architecture and strategic response to existing and emerging threats to national peace and stability. The framework is expected to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to peacebuilding while strengthening the institutions, systems and partnerships responsible for preventing and managing conflict across the country.
A key focus of the framework will be the institutionalisation of peace efforts within Nigeria’s broader peace architecture. It will also promote cross-cutting approaches to inter-agency and inter-governmental collaboration, gender inclusion and meaningful community engagement.
The framework seeks to strengthen a number of critical areas, including conflict prevention and mitigation, dialogue and reconciliation, peaceful coexistence, governance and accountability, community resilience, as well as inter-agency and inter-institutional coordination.
As a member of the Expert Review Team, Fr. Barkindo will contribute to the review of the framework’s thematic pillars, with particular attention to ensuring its strategic alignment with existing regional and continental peace and security architectures, including those of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).
Bringing Extensive Peacebuilding Experience to the Process
Fr. Barkindo brings more than 15 years of experience in peacebuilding, counterterrorism, conflict analysis and community engagement to the review process.
Following his Ph.D. programme at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, where he researched conflict and terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa, Fr. Barkindo became part of the European Union Technical Assistance Team that worked with the Office of the National Security Adviser to establish Nigeria’s Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR) programme.
He has also led a team of researchers from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Borderlands Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, in developing an updated actor mapping of terrorist activities across the Lake Chad Basin. The research contributed to a deeper understanding of the actors, networks and dynamics shaping insecurity in the region.
In addition, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) selected Fr. Barkindo to develop a roadmap for transitional justice in Nigeria, further reflecting his longstanding engagement with issues of peacebuilding, reconciliation and conflict transformation.
Supporting a Stronger Peace Architecture for Nigeria
The development of a National Peace Framework represents an important opportunity to strengthen coordination among government institutions, security agencies, civil society, communities and other stakeholders working to advance peace and stability in Nigeria.
The Kukah Centre is proud that its Executive Director is contributing his experience and expertise to this important national process. The Centre remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote dialogue, strengthen institutions, build resilient communities and advance sustainable peace in Nigeria.
Through its work in peacebuilding, research, dialogue and civic engagement, The Kukah Centre continues to contribute to efforts aimed at building a more peaceful, inclusive and resilient Nigeria.
