Abuja, Nigeria – The National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria, has underscored the need for restorative justice, reconciliation, and community resilience as critical pillars for achieving lasting peace in Africa, as it hosted the International Conference on Restorative Justice and Management of Victims of Violent Extremism in Africa in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, welcomed participants to the conference, which was organised in collaboration with the Centre for African Peace and Conflict Resolution, California State University, Sacramento, USA, and the Ambassador Bulus Lolo Centre for Diplomacy, Conflict, Peace and Plural Studies at Bingham University, Nigeria.
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Rear Admiral Ahmed described the conference as timely, noting that violent extremism, insurgency, and communal conflicts across Africa have inflicted deep physical, psychological, and social wounds on individuals and communities.
He stressed that while military and security operations remain essential in confronting security threats, sustainable peace requires a broader approach that prioritises healing, justice, reconciliation, community resilience, and the restoration of human dignity.
According to the Commandant, the National Defence College recognises that contemporary security challenges are increasingly complex and interconnected, requiring integrated responses that combine security, governance, justice, and development.
“As Nigeria’s premier institution for strategic military education, the College remains committed to developing leaders capable of integrating security, governance, justice and development into comprehensive responses to contemporary threats,” he said.
Rear Admiral Ahmed expressed satisfaction that the conference had brought together scholars, policymakers, security practitioners, judicial officers, humanitarian organisations, development partners, and the 2026 Africa Peace Fellows to examine practical approaches to supporting victims of violent extremism and strengthening peacebuilding efforts across the continent.
He noted that the programme features high-level policy discussions, expert presentations, interactive sessions, practical workshops, and cross-country learning experiences designed to generate innovative solutions, strengthen professional networks, and produce actionable recommendations for implementation across African institutions.
The Commandant also commended the Centre for African Peace and Conflict Resolution at California State University, Sacramento, the Ambassador Bulus Lolo Centre at Bingham University, and other collaborating institutions for their commitment to advancing peace and security through international partnership.
He described the collaboration as a demonstration of the power of global partnerships in developing the next generation of African peace leaders and promoting sustainable peace across the continent.
Urging participants to engage actively throughout the conference, Rear Admiral Ahmed encouraged them to exchange ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and build lasting professional relationships capable of transforming conflict into opportunities for reconciliation, recovery, and enduring stability.
He thereafter declared the International Conference on Restorative Justice and Management of Victims of Violent Extremism in Africa officially open, expressing optimism that the deliberations would contribute meaningfully to strengthening peace, justice, and resilience across Africa
Delivering the keynote address at the International Conference on Restorative Justice and Management of Victims of Violent Extremism in Africa, Director of the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution at California State University, Sacramento, Professor Ernest Uwazie, called for a victim-centred restorative justice framework that balances offender rehabilitation with accountability, truth-telling and meaningful support for victims of violent extremism.
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He argued that reintegration programmes should not focus solely on former combatants but must also ensure victims are acknowledged, compensated, and actively involved in the justice process. According to him, victims are primarily seeking justice, recognition and healing rather than vengeance, stressing that accountability must be visible and participatory to rebuild public trust.
Professor Uwazie said international experiences from countries such as Colombia, Sierra Leone, Tunisia and the Philippines demonstrate that restorative justice is most effective when victims and offenders engage in structured dialogue focused on harm, accountability and restitution.
He recommended transparent screening and monitoring of rehabilitation programmes, independent verification of recidivism data, adequate investment in victim support, proper sequencing of reconciliation efforts before reintegration, and sustained post-reintegration monitoring involving both community leaders and security agencies. He maintained that these measures would strengthen public confidence and create a balanced approach that promotes both justice and lasting peace.
While acknowledging Nigeria's efforts through initiatives such as Operation Safe Corridor, Professor Uwazie noted that significant gaps remain in victim compensation, consultation and institutional support. He observed that many victims still feel excluded from major decisions and often learn about reintegration activities through the media rather than direct engagement.
Urging restorative justice practitioners to embrace professionalism, impartiality, cultural humility and self-care, he concluded that true restorative justice is not merely about saying "I am sorry" but about "doing sorry" through concrete actions that repair harm, restore dignity and promote sustainable peace across affected communities.
