Researchers in Peace and Conflict Studies have urged governments at all levels to integrate academic findings into policy formulation and implementation as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s persistent insecurity challenges.
The call was made by the Director of the Institute of Governance and Development Studies, Nasarawa State University, Prof. Terhemba Shija, during a study tour of Plateau State by over 70 Ph.D. students.
The delegation visited key institutions, including the Plateau State Police Command, where they engaged with the Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah; the Nigerian Army 3 Division, where they were received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Folusho Oyinlola; and the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, led by its Director-General, Dr Julie Sanda.
Prof. Shija said the study tour was designed to expose doctoral students to real-life conflict situations and deepen their understanding of peacebuilding efforts across the country.
“Insecurity in Nigeria appears complex and, at times, intractable. Just when progress seems to be made, new crises emerge in different parts of the country,” he said.
While commending the efforts of security agencies, he stressed that greater impact could be achieved if policymakers paid closer attention to research outputs.
“As academics, we believe that if those responsible for policy formulation and implementation engage more with research findings, it will help address some of these security challenges and build sustainable peace in Nigeria,” he added.
He noted that the Ph.D. programme is aimed at contributing new knowledge, explaining that students are expected to identify gaps in existing approaches and propose practical, evidence-based solutions.
“These students are engaging directly with institutions at the forefront of security and peacebuilding. This exposure will enable them to contribute meaningfully to national discourse and offer solutions grounded in reality,” he said.
At the various institutions visited, security officials highlighted ongoing strategies to tackle insecurity, emphasising intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and community engagement as critical components of peacebuilding.
The Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, underscored the importance of community policing, while the GOC, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, emphasised sustained military operations and cooperation with civil authorities. The Director-General of the Peace Building Agency, Dr Julie Sanda, also stressed dialogue and reconciliation as key to long-term stability.
The delegation also visited the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Plateau State Government House, and Bassa Local Government Area as part of broader engagements aimed at generating research-driven recommendations for tackling insecurity.
The study tour is expected to continue with further engagements across the state.
