By Obi Jane, World BEYOND War Nigeria Chapter Coordinator, November 1, 2026
In Nigerian communities facing insecurity, social tensions, and polarization, young people are often exposed to hostile rhetoric and confrontational messages that can fuel violent behavior. However, the lack of accessible spaces where they can express themselves and explore nonviolent alternatives to conflict is a barrier to their participation in peacebuilding. It is in this context that the Nigerian chapter of World BEYOND War organized the event “Art of Peace: Transforming Conflict through Dialogue, Art, and Nonviolent Action” in the town of Goni-Gora, in Kaduna State, Nigeria. This initiative brought together 30 participants (15 women and 15 men) including young people, peace advocates, representatives of the Nigerian police, the Kaduna State Vigilance Service, civil society organizations, and traditional authorities. The goal was to address the identified need by prioritizing an approach that uses art, dialogue, personal stories, and popular peace education as creative tools to enable young people and community members to explore concrete alternatives to violent conflict.
The event combined several interactive approaches, including a peace education session on the street, facilitated discussions, creative presentations, and a hands-on exercise in nonviolent action. These various activities allowed participants to express themselves and share their experiences in the face of rising violence in their communities. The discussions focused on ways to develop narratives that promote peace, strengthen empathy among people from different backgrounds, and counter hate speech. Participants discussed the impact of violent conflicts on livelihoods and economic activities, noting that insecurity affects both people’s physical safety and their living conditions. They also reflected on how young people can help promote dialogue and mutual understanding in their communities. As the discussions progressed, the Nigeria chapter recognized the need to scale up community-based initiatives aimed at improving public safety. The “Art of Peace” initiative will be replicated, as the program has demonstrated that artistic expression can help young people and other community members challenge violent rhetoric and envision peaceful responses to conflict.
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