Stakeholders endorse MWL-backed ‘Nigerian Youth for Peace’ initiative
Abuja: Participants at an international conference on religious and cultural diversity and social peace in Abuja have endorsed a Muslim World League (MWL)-backed “Nigerian Youth for Peace” initiative aimed at promoting peace and social cohesion among young people across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The participants comprised Muslim and Christian religious leaders, scholars and experts, government officials and decision-makers, representatives of civil society organisations, regional and international bodies, and other distinguished personalities from Nigeria, West Africa and beyond.
The initiative, proposed by Sheikh Dr Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, is expected to work closely with a proposed joint body of Muslim and Christian leaders and their institutions to implement peacebuilding activities across the country.
According to the post-conference communiqué, issued by Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), the initiative will operate across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with its achievements and outcomes shared with international organisations.
The endorsement formed part of resolutions adopted at the conference, organised by the MWL in collaboration with JIBWIS, Nigeria, under the special patronage of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The conference, held in Abuja from August 11 to 12, focused on the theme “Religious and Cultural Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future”.
The communiqué said the initiative would complement wider measures designed to strengthen peaceful coexistence, combat intolerance and address threats to social cohesion.
As part of those measures, the participants resolved to launch nationwide public awareness programmes promoting patriotism and responsible citizenship while encouraging respect for religious, ethnic and cultural diversity.
The communiqué called for programmes that would “combat hate speech and all forms of intolerance”, reflecting the conference’s concern over the potential of inflammatory rhetoric to deepen divisions within society.
It also placed responsibility on the media and cultural institutions to contribute to the peacebuilding process.
The communiqué called upon media organisations and cultural institutions to “promote responsible messaging that strengthens social peace, combats rumours and inflammatory rhetoric, and highlights positive examples of unity, coexistence and mutual understanding within the country.”
The participants further endorsed closer cooperation among government institutions, religious leaders and civil society organisations in addressing challenges to peaceful coexistence.
According to the communiqué, the proposed framework would enable the stakeholders to work together to “address the challenges of coexistence, strengthen mental resilience and ensure social peace”.
The conference also called for stronger efforts to prevent conflict and build trust among Nigeria’s diverse communities.
Participants affirmed that religious, ethnic and cultural diversity was not inherently a source of division but a reality that could contribute to national development if managed appropriately.
“Religious, ethnic and cultural diversity is a universal reality,” the communiqué stated, adding that managing such diversity wisely was important for “strengthening national unity and building a sustainable and cohesive society”.
The emphasis on young people was also reflected in the conference’s call for the empowerment and participation of youth and women in national peacebuilding programmes.
The communiqué said young people and women should be “empowered and involved in national programmes aimed at promoting a culture of peace, strengthening civic responsibility and patriotism, and upholding positive values of citizenship”.
The participants also expressed concern about the spread of extremism, prejudice and hatred and called for greater attention to building mental resilience, particularly among young people.
The communiqué said there was a “critical need to strengthen mental resilience and protect society from calls to extremism, prejudice and hatred” while promoting religious discourse based on wisdom, balance and moderation.
It further called on educational and religious institutions to develop curricula and training programmes that promote responsible citizenship, mutual respect, dialogue and coexistence.
The conference also commended the Muslim World League for its role in promoting dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures and called for the expansion of its educational, training and media programmes to promote moderation, tolerance and human and Islamic solidarity.
The participants linked the peacebuilding agenda to broader development objectives, stressing that social stability was essential for economic and social progress.
“Sustainable development is inseparable from social peace,” the communiqué stated, adding that “security and stability are essential conditions for creating an environment in which society can prosper and achieve development.”
The conference consequently reaffirmed the commitment of religious leaders and other stakeholders to translate its resolutions into practical programmes aimed at strengthening social peace, promoting dialogue, supporting security and stability, and advancing development in Nigeria and West Africa.
The conference also resolved to establish a joint body of Muslim and Christian leaders and their institutions, in cooperation with the MWL, to coordinate programmes and strengthen consultation on matters of common interest.
The communiqué was issued in Abuja on August 12, 2026, by JIBWIS Nigeria.
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