Stakeholders across government, traditional institutions, civil society, and conflict-affected communities have pledged full support for a new peace and livelihood initiative launched in Jos on Wednesday, as Global Peace Development (GPD) unveiled the Promoting Agropastoralism Reconciliation and Resilience for Sustainable Livelihood and Peace (PARSULP) project.
The event, held at the Villa Grand Bouquet Hall, brought together representatives of farmers, herders, development partners, security-linked institutions, and state officials to endorse a coordinated strategy for addressing long-standing agro-pastoral conflicts across Plateau and three other states.
Funded by SPRiNG, Tetra Tech and ActionAid, the PARSULP project seeks to strengthen local peace structures, rebuild fractured relationships, and promote livelihood cooperation between farmers and herders.
Communities Must Lead Peace Efforts — Danjuma Mohammed
In his welcome address, the Project Manager, Danjuma Mohammed, said the initiative comes at a “critical moment” for Plateau State, which has faced decades of resource-driven conflicts.
He emphasized that peace cannot be imposed externally but must be owned by the communities.
“Your presence here reflects your commitment to supporting peace and stability across our communities. Plateau has been a hotbed of conflict for over 25 years. What can we do together to reverse this trend?” he asked.
According to him, PARSULP will deploy participatory assessments, cooperative development, agricultural outreach, community-led action plans and policy dialogues to “move communities from tension to cooperation.”
Conflict Has Caused More Harm Than Many Realize — GPD Executive Director
Delivering the keynote, GPD Executive Director, Ebruke O. Esike, warned that violent competition over land and water has displaced thousands and eroded centuries of inter-group relations.
“Nigeria has recorded more displacement from farmer-herder conflict than even the combined casualties from Israel and Ukraine,” he noted, stressing the urgency of reconciliation.
He said the project will promote agroforestry, strengthen community resilience and support cooperatives involving both farmers and herders—especially women, who he described as “pathways to deeper reconciliation.”
State Ministries, Peace Agencies and Grassroots Leaders Back Project
Goodwill messages from government representatives reinforced the project’s importance to Plateau’s development.
Representing the Commissioner for Agriculture, Markus Pam described agriculture as the state’s backbone and urged both groups to “learn from past failures” to rebuild trust.
From the Ministry of Livestock, Abubakar Ladinu, Ardo of Bachit, dismissed stereotypes that label Fulani communities as perpetrators of violence.
“We are all victims. Those causing attacks are criminals. We want peace and development, and we are behind this project 100%.”
The Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN) also pledged full support, calling reconciliation “an intentional process that must involve everyone.”
Similarly, the Plateau Peace Building Agency, represented by Kenneth of the strategic communications team, praised the initiative for aligning with the agency’s humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) framework. He encouraged implementers to work closely with Plateau’s forestry, agricultural and climate-smart institutions.
Local Communities Call for Justice, Restoration and Lasting Reconciliation
Grassroots leaders from Riyom LGA—one of the most affected by violent attacks—welcomed the project as long overdue.
The Ward Councillor of Riyom, Hon. Wycliffe T. Wanson, said communities have “waited too long for meaningful intervention” and assured stakeholders of full collaboration.
The Village Head of Gulom Kwi, Joshua Dong Kuron, highlighted years of displacement and loss, appealing for sincerity and realistic solutions.
“People have been killed, displaced, and traumatized. We must be honest about the issues and work together to restore what we have lost.”
The District Head of Riyom, HRH Samuel Jok, said communities—not security agencies—must take responsibility for rebuilding peace.
“If we want real peace, it is we, the people, who must bring it back. Security agencies will not live here forever. We must sit together and confront what went wrong.”
A New Chapter for Peace in Plateau
With stakeholders expressing overwhelming support, the PARSULP project aims to usher in a new era of cooperation between agro-pastoral actors, reducing tensions over land and resources while promoting joint economic opportunities.
The launch marked the unveiling of community-driven peace plans developed from assessments across 45 wards in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and Katsina States.
Organizers said implementation will begin immediately, with emphasis on community inclusion, justice, women’s participation and sustainable livelihoods.
