The European Union and Bayero University Kano have jointly advocated a comprehensive, community driven strategy to prevent violence and tackle insecurity in northern Nigeria, warning that no single institution can address the region's complex security challenges alone.

The call was made at a one day seminar titled "A Whole Society Approach to the Prevention of Violence and Conflict in Northern Nigeria," held at Bayero University Kano on Monday.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, who led a delegation of EU ambassadors, said insecurity remained one of the major challenges confronting northern Nigeria and stressed the need for inclusive and preventive approaches. He disclosed that the EU had expanded its focus to North West Nigeria with a €300 million package, complementing €730 million in grants and more than €1.5 billion in development support between 2021 and 2027. "International cooperation remains the solution to many of the global challenges confronting humanity, including climate change, inequality, insecurity and disinformation," Mignot stated.

The BUK Vice Chancellor, Prof Haruna Musa, said the presence of EU ambassadors and key stakeholders reflected a shared commitment to regional stability, development and human security. "No single institution can solve these challenges alone. It requires working together. As a university, BUK is ready to contribute research, data and community linkages to support evidence based interventions," he noted.

The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Director of State Liaison in the Office of the NSA, Lami Chinade, said sustainable peace required prevention, inclusion, dialogue, resilience, opportunity, trust building and social cohesion. Ribadu added that the Office of the NSA was developing a National Peace Framework to strengthen stakeholder coordination and promote community centred peacebuilding initiatives.

In a presentation on the drivers of conflict in northern Nigeria, Prof Maikano Madawaki of BUK's Department of Sociology identified ethnic tensions, communal disputes, political violence, marginalisation, substance abuse, unemployment and weak governance as major factors fuelling instability. Madawaki called for stronger institutions, improved access to education and social services, effective border control and greater investment in youth development.

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Alhaji Musa Suleiman Shanono, commended the EU delegation and BUK for organising the seminar.