Search For Common Ground and Peace Building in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Since the end of the Cold War, the nature of violent conflict has shifted from primarily interstate to intrastate, often mobilised around identity, ethnic, and religious lines. Nigeria reflects this trend, with persistent farmer–herder clashes, ethno-religious tensions, kidnapping, banditry, and resource-based disputes affecting multiple geopolitical zones. These conflicts have generated displacement, loss of lives, and socio-economic disruption. State responses have largely been militarised, achieving temporary stability or “negative peace,” while non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have increasingly stepped in to foster sustainable, “positive peace.” This article examines the role of NGOs in peacebuilding in North Central Nigeria, with a particular focus on Search for Common Ground (SFCG). Using John Paul Lederach’s Conflict Transformation Theory as an analytical lens, the study emphasises relationship-building, inclusive dialogue, and structural change as pathways toward sustainable peace. Fieldwork was conducted in 6 Local Government Areas of Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa States, employing 29 key informant interviews and 12 focus group discussions with men and women. Findings reveal that SFCG has advanced peacebuilding through dialogue facilitation, youth empowerment, intergroup mediation, media programming, and capacity building of local actors. These interventions contributed to rebuilding trust, reducing tensions, and improving intercommunal relations. However, challenges remain, including limited funding, weak collaboration with government institutions, and difficulties in mainstreaming local initiatives into broader policy frameworks. The study highlights the complementary role of NGOs in bridging the gap between negative and positive peace, providing lessons for more integrated, community-driven, and sustainable peacebuilding strategies in Nigeria.