Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
In a significant move to address the escalating insecurity in Northwest Nigeria, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, on Monday launched a major peacebuilding initiative funded by the European Union. The €5.1 million Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response, and Resilience (CPCRR) project aims to strengthen stability and foster reconciliation in communities affected by banditry, violence, and displacement.
The 18-month project is being implemented by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Mercy Corps, two renowned organizations with extensive experience in conflict resolution and development work in Nigeria. It will cover eight local government areas in Katsina State and two in neighboring Zamfara State, building upon the successes of a previous EU-funded initiative that benefited over 95,000 people.
Governor Radda described the project as a “new era of hope, partnership, and collective action,” emphasizing its focus on empowering communities particularly women, youth, and vulnerable groups to play active roles in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
“The CPCRR project is built on the successes of the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation project, also supported by the EU and implemented by IOM, Mercy Corps, and CDD,” the governor stated. “That initiative helped resolve crises in several communities, facilitated the return of displaced persons, and strengthened inter-communal trust. Today, we are scaling up what worked, expanding geographical coverage, deepening impact, and socializing best practices.”
The project aims to address the root causes of violence through a multi-faceted approach that includes strengthening early warning and early response systems, supporting trauma healing and psychosocial services, promoting dialogue and mediation between conflicting groups, enhancing livelihoods and economic opportunities to reduce vulnerability to violence, building the capacity of local institutions and civil society to sustain peace efforts.
In a related development, Governor Radda confirmed that his administration has entered into negotiations with bandits terrorizing farming communities in the state, a significant shift after two years of debate over the feasibility and morality of engaging with armed groups. The governor, who had previously distanced himself from such talks, acknowledged that the peace deal has already restored calm in four frontline local government areas.
“We already have an existing relationship with UNDP, funded by several European countries, especially the German government, and they are helping us resolve the crisis,” Radda noted. He also highlighted another partnership with the French government to construct a one-megawatt hydropower project at Danja Dam, aimed at boosting economic activity and reducing poverty.
The EU-funded initiative comes at a critical time as Northwest Nigeria grapples with worsening insecurity that has disrupted agriculture, displaced thousands, and undermined livelihoods. By combining immediate crisis response with longer term resilience building, the project seeks to create conditions for sustainable peace and development in the region.
The launch was attended by representatives from the European Union, CDD, Mercy Corps, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders, all expressing commitment to working together to restore peace and stability in Katsina and Zamfara States.