Abuja: The National Defence College, Nigeria, recently hosted a significant two-day international conference focusing on Restorative Justice for Victims of Violent Extremism. The event, themed ‘Restorative Justice and Management of Victims of Violent Extremism in Africa’, was held at the NDC premises in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference was organized 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, Bingham University, Nigeria. Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed, the Commandant of the NDC, emphasized the timeliness of the conference amidst the backdrop of violent extremism, insurgency, and communal conflicts affecting Africa.
He articulated that while security operations are crucial, lasting peace requires a more comprehensive approach that includes healing, justice, and reconciliation. The conference aimed to collectively explore practical ways to manage victims of violent extremism and bolster peacebuilding efforts across Africa.
The gathering drew a diverse group of participants, including scholars, policymakers, security practitioners, judicial officers, humanitarian actors, development partners, and the 2026 Africa Peace Fellows. Rear Adm. Ahmed expressed optimism that the conference would foster innovative ideas and strengthen professional networks, ultimately producing actionable recommendations for participants to implement in their respective fields.
Prof. Adam Ahmed, Provost of the Center for Strategic Research and Studies at NDC, also addressed the conference, highlighting the crises in Nigeria and across Africa. He noted the impact of groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP and emphasized the importance of government and military efforts to restore hope to victims. The conference, he explained, aimed to generate policy resolutions to guide African governments in addressing the needs of victims.
The event featured high-level policy dialogues, expert presentations, interactive discussions, practical workshops, and cross-country learning experiences, all designed to bring about meaningful change. Participants from 19 African countries, along with collaborators from California State University at Sacramento and Bingham University, contributed to the discourse.
The conference concluded with a workshop aimed at formulating policy recommendations, which will be communicated to various governments across Africa to aid in managing the ongoing crises and their victims.