 workshop in Kano and Sokoto){kind=link}
By Rabiu Sanusi
In a bold step toward stemming the tide of violent extremism, key stakeholders from across Nigeria’s Northwest region have kicked off a four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Kano and Sokoto States, focused on building capacity for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE).
The high-level engagement, organized under the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network, Nigerian Extremist Society Network, and the PCVE Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub, is championed by respected civic advocate, Jaye Gaskiya, who chairs the national steering committee of the networks.
The workshop, supported by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), brings together a diverse mix of participants from ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), civil society organizations, and traditional/community institutions across the seven Northwest states.
Two Locations, One Mission
The training is being conducted in two batches: participants from Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States are meeting in Sokoto, while their counterparts from Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Kaduna States converge in Kano.
According to Jaye Gaskiya, participants were carefully selected to ensure inclusive representation from critical institutions and grassroots actors across the region.
“This training aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the national PCVE policy framework, contextualize its application for the unique realities of the Northwest, and boost strategic communication skills, narrative shaping, and community resilience,” Gaskiya said.
Strategic Tools for Tough Times
The sessions cover a range of critical topics including:
- The National PCVE Framework and Policy
- Understanding Local Conflict Dynamics
- Strategic Communication and Counter-Narrative Development
- Strengthening Social Cohesion and Institutional Collaboration
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for PCVE Interventions
Participants are expected to return to their states with draft action plans tailored to local needs and security landscapes. Within the next three months, each state is anticipated to develop a full-fledged State Action Plan on PCVE — a landmark move in aligning federal strategy with grassroots implementation.
Local Voices, Regional Realities
Dr. Muhammad Bashir Ruwan Godiya, Chairman of the PEP Network in Katsina State, described the initiative as “timely and crucial,” especially amid rising tensions and new extremist threats in the region.
“Katsina, like many parts of the Northwest, is witnessing fragile attempts at dialogue between communities and armed groups. Without structured support, these efforts could collapse,” he warned.
He called for enhanced local capacity to address non-violent aspects of conflict and underscored the need for collaboration between formal institutions and community-led peacebuilding initiatives.
Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Action
Also speaking, Mr. Aliyu Adamu of ActionAid Nigeria highlighted the training’s role in equipping participants with specialized knowledge and practical skills to respond more effectively to violent extremism.
“This workshop is not just about policy—it’s about real tools that communities, civil society, and government institutions can deploy immediately to protect lives and build peace,” he noted.
Towards a Unified Front
With a renewed commitment from the Office of the National Security Adviser and growing grassroots involvement, this initiative marks a major step toward building a coordinated, region-wide response to violent extremism.
Observers say the PCVE strategy could offer a replicable model for other troubled zones across Nigeria if implemented effectively.
As the workshop progresses in Kano and Sokoto, hope is rising that the Northwest is charting a path not only to peace — but to lasting resilience in the face of rising extremism.
“This is more than a training. It’s a declaration that the people of the Northwest will not sit back while violent ideologies tear apart their communities,” said Gaskiya, concluding with a firm call to action.
#TogetherAgainstExtremism #PCVETraining #NorthwestPeaceBuilders
About The Author
