The Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) has officially closed its five-year peacebuilding programme in Nigeria, marking the end of an initiative that redefined interfaith engagement, strengthened community structures, and amplified the voices of women and youth across Plateau and Kaduna States.

The colourful close-out ceremony, held on Thursday at Novel Suites Hall in Jos, celebrated the achievements of the programme, which began in 2021 with the goal of addressing religious violence and discrimination by fostering dialogue and collaboration across faith communities.

In his opening remarks, JISRA Country Coordinator, Jude Likita, reflected on the journey of the consortium and its partners. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. Together, we took that step with great support from diverse stakeholders. Today, women are stronger in traditional councils, harmful practices are giving way to positive values, and communities have maintained peace through dialogue and early warning systems,” he said.

Likita emphasized that while the programme has formally ended, its work is far from over. “Religion should never be a force of division but a tool for peace. This is not the end—it is the beginning of another chapter,” he declared.

Faith leaders commended the initiative for its transformational contributions. The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam highlighted how JISRA facilitated critical conversations on peace and security, urging citizens to take ownership of community safety. Similarly, the Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque, Sheikh Ghazali Isma’ila Adam, praised JISRA’s practical manuals on peace promotion. “I have personally sampled the manual, and it is a practical guide to coexistence. We must extend such community engagements beyond Plateau so that other states can learn from this model,” he stated.

Beyond community engagement, JISRA also prioritized structural reforms. Reuben Emmanuel, Head of the Lobby, Advocacy, and Communication Working Group, outlined milestones in advocacy and accountability. “We now have women included in traditional councils, and communities are better equipped to advocate for themselves. Even at the state level, we collaborated with institutions to push for frameworks on state and community policing, ensuring inclusivity of women, people with disabilities, and religious leaders,” he explained. He added that JISRA also advanced Nigeria’s commitments on minority rights and religious freedom at international forums, including the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review in 2023.

The programme’s impact extended to the media sector as well. Delivering a goodwill message, Mr. Matthew Tegha, Coordinator of the Plateau Peace Media Network, applauded JISRA for recognizing the role of the press in promoting peace. “Through the trainings and engagements facilitated by JISRA, our network has been empowered with tools to report responsibly, amplify peace narratives, and foster religious tolerance,” he said. Tegha pointed to the July 2024 three-day media workshop in Plateau and Kaduna as transformative, noting that it helped strengthen peace journalism and personally contributed to his recognition as an international Freedom of Religion or Belief fellow.

Stakeholders also affirmed that the seeds sown by JISRA would continue to thrive. Mr. Nenmak Bali, President of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, described the programme as a model for interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence. “The seeds planted through this project will continue to bear fruits long after today,” he remarked.

The event also featured awards to outstanding community representatives for their dedication to peacebuilding, symbolizing JISRA’s emphasis on inclusivity and sustainability.

The Plateau gathering followed a similar close-out event in Kaduna, underscoring the consortium’s wide reach and long-term impact.

As the curtain closed on JISRA’s five-year programme, one message resonated strongly: the initiative may have ended, but its legacy of peace, inclusion, and religious freedom is set to endure.