Scholars and researchers under the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD) African University Seminar Series–Nigeria (AUSS-NG) have expressed worry that governance failures, inequitable resource distribution, and political and economic exclusion remain key drivers of conflicts, urging government at all levels to address these structural issues to achieve lasting peace.

They have therefore ,called for the adoption of community-based strategies and inclusive governance to address Nigeria’s persistent peace and security challenges.

The call formed part of resolutions reached at the end of a four-day writing and publication workshop held at the University of Port Harcourt, Choba Campus, Rivers State.

The workshop, organised by AUSS-NG and supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, brought together alumni of the former African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa programmes of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC).

In a communiqué issued at the end of the event yesterday, participants emphasised the need for strategic communication frameworks rooted in local realities to counter radicalisation and promote peacebuilding efforts across the country.

The scholars also warned against the over reliance on government contracts as a tool for peace, stating that while such interventions may temporarily reduce violence, they often fail to address underlying grievances and may create parallel security structures.

“Government should prioritise feasibility studies and proper needs assessments before awarding contracts, as poorly designed interventions can entrench conflicts rather than resolve them,” the communiqué stated.

Participants further highlighted the dangers of weak state presence in conflict-prone areas, noting that it contributes to resource-based conflicts, environmental degradation, and disruption of local livelihoods.

They also called on state actors to improve communication with citizens, warning that silence or lack of transparency often fuels distrust, fear, and misinformation.

The workshop explored diverse themes in peacebuilding and security, including counter-radicalisation strategies, natural resource conflicts, reintegration of ex-combatants, gender and border security, and the role of non-political platforms in fostering unity.

In particular, participants identified sports, especially football, as a viable tool for promoting social cohesion, youth engagement, and reconciliation across ethnic and religious divides.

Earlier, in a keynote address, a scholar from the University of Edinburgh, Dr. Akin Iwilade, urged African researchers to prioritise quality scholarship driven by empirical data, interdisciplinary methods, and ethical standards, rather than focusing solely on publishing in high-impact journals.

He also advised scholars to situate their research within broader global debates to enhance relevance and impact.

The workshop featured paper presentations by 16 alumni across parallel sessions, with participants receiving mentorship and practical guidance on academic writing, journal publication processes, and research visibility.

Dr. Iwilade, a Nigerian-UK based Senior Lecturer with the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, shared fundamental errors that militates against good scholarship and publishing among Nigeria Academics.

Iwilade spoke while discussing on “what Editors, book Reviewers want from Scholars”, noted that “good scholarship is key to writing and publishing, stressing that publishing marks the end of long period of writing process.