In a landmark move toward sustainable stability in Northeast Nigeria, key stakeholders have officially validated the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) policy framework for Borno State.
This milestone, achieved during a high-level workshop in Maiduguri, signals a transition from reactive security measures to proactive, youth-led peacebuilding initiatives in a region long impacted by conflict.
Strengthening the Legal Framework for Peace
The validation workshop brought together a robust coalition of decision-makers, including members of the Borno State House of Assembly and representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Information, Youths, and Women Affairs. The gathering served as a technical crucible to ensure the policy reflects the lived realities of young people while aligning with state legal structures.
The initiative, funded by ActionAid Nigeria, Plan International Nigeria, and Global Peace Development, is designed to provide a formal platform for young citizens to participate in decision-making processes regarding regional security.
A Critical Milestone for Youth Inclusion
The domestication of this policy is a direct response to the urgent need for structured youth engagement in the Northeast. By validating these priorities, Borno State is positioning its youth not just as beneficiaries of peace, but as its primary architects.
“This workshop marks a critical step toward the domestication of the Youth Peace and Security policy in Borno State. Through rich dialogue and collective commitment, we have validated priorities that reflect the aspirations of young people,” stated ActionAid Nigeria.
Borno Joins National Momentum on YPS
Nigeria has maintained a leadership role in this space, becoming the first African country to launch a National Action Plan on YPS in November 2021. While Kogi, Nasarawa, and Kaduna states have already officially launched their State Action Plans (SAPs), Borno has now emerged as a frontrunner among the 13 states currently advancing domestication efforts.
The validation in Borno is particularly significant given the state’s strategic importance in the Lake Chad Basin and its history of resilience. The workshop’s output ensures that the state’s approach to security is inclusive, gender-responsive, and youth-centric.
The Road to Full Implementation
While the validation is a major victory for civil society and youth advocates, the process now moves into its final administrative phase. The document is set to be presented to the State Executive Council for formal approval.
Once approved, the policy will unlock full implementation, providing the necessary funding and institutional backing to empower youth-led peace committees, enhance social cohesion, and ensure that the voices of young men and women are central to the state’s long-term stability strategy.
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