Youth Exclusion and Drug Abuse Fueling Nigeria Conflicts

The Spring Programme, led by Damian Ihekorony, has disclosed that the proliferation of drugs and the exclusion of young people are major contributors to conflicts in parts of Nigeria, specifically in Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, and Benue State. The program aims to design guidelines that prevent conflict resolution and strengthen peace resilience in these areas.

Ijeoma Nwafor emphasized the high involvement of youth in issues related to substance abuse and conflict, noting that less than 15 percent of Nigerians have access to courtroom justice. Maryam Abba provided insights into incorporating traditional methods into conflict prevention strategies.

The initiative seeks to address the gap in citizen justice needs and aims to engage young people in peace-building processes, countering negative narratives and misinformation that contribute to their exclusion from decision-making.