Lake Chad Region Youths Share Perspectives on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention
The youth leaders spoke at the ongoing Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria. The forum discussion focuses on the security and development challenges affecting Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
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29 Jan 2025
Plan International and its partners hosted a youth-led side event in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, as part of activities preceding the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum organised by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
The event, which was held at the Indimi International Conference Centre on Jan. 28, focused on amplifying youth voices, promoting gender inclusivity in conflict management, and preventing violent extremism across the Lake Chad region.
Bringing together youth leaders, gender advocates, and stakeholders from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, the event served as a platform to showcase best practices, exchange ideas, and co-create strategies that empower young people and women as critical change agents in peacebuilding, recovery, and social cohesion in the conflict-affected Lake Chad Basin.
Key highlights of the event included youth-led presentations, interactive roundtable discussions, and collaborative reflections, which addressed pressing issues such as gender exclusion in decision-making, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and the role of young people in preventing violent extremism.
Participants were encouraged to share their perspectives and experiences, fostering inclusive strategies for stabilisation and recovery in the region.
Halima Yerima Muhammad of the Lac Lac Network, a regional initiative promoting peace and security, expressed her enthusiasm about the opportunity provided by Plan International.
“This event is beautiful because it gives young people from conflict-affected areas the opportunity to engage with wider stakeholders,” she said. “Plan International’s youth empowerment initiative enables us to participate in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and decision-making processes. It empowers us to develop local initiatives to counter violent extremism and become peace champions in our communities.”
Another participant, Fatima Mohammed Mafi, 23, a member of Plan International’s Youth Advisory Panel, shared with HumAngle the importance of youth engagement in peacebuilding efforts when it is needed most in a region struggling with insecurity. She also highlighted the event’s significance in connecting youth with key stakeholders and influencing decision-making processes at the governor’s forum.
Ruth Gaigui, peace ambassador from Cameroon, said, “This is an important event because we young people have experiences and ideas to share with our communities. I am happy that this represents the young people in the region.”
The young representatives at the event pointed out that they aspire for the peace that the older generations of the region have enjoyed in the past.
As the Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum progresses, the outcomes of this side event are expected to inform more inclusive and impactful strategies for addressing the region’s complex challenges, considering young people’s participation in critical regional decisions.
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