The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to proactive diplomacy and national security by launching a strategic capacity-building session for the National Early Warning Response Group (EWRG).
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, declared that strengthening the nation’s Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) systems is vital to addressing the “multitude of peace and security challenges” currently facing Nigeria and the wider African continent.
The Minister’s address was delivered by Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja.
The engagement session is a collaborative effort between the IPCR and Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG), a project funded by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Ambassador Tuggar noted that this partnership reflects a deep bilateral commitment to fostering stability.
“The partnership reflects not only the strength of our bilateral cooperation with the FCDO but also foresight in deepening engagement… towards building an effective Early Warning and Early Response system,” the Minister stated.
The Minister identified several “major drivers” of regional instability that the EWRG is tasked with monitoring, including:
Climate Change: Impacting livelihoods and sparking resource-based conflicts.
Small Arms Proliferation: The spread of light weapons (SALW) undermining socio-economic growth.
Violent Extremism: Ongoing battles against banditry, terrorism, and transnational organized crime.
The 4-D Foreign Policy in Action
The initiative is anchored in President Bola Tinubu’s “4-D” Foreign Policy Doctrine—which prioritizes Development, Diaspora, Demography, and Democracy.
The Minister cited Nigeria’s recent intervention in the political crisis in the Benin Republic as a prime example of the country’s “proactiveness and effectiveness” in maintaining regional stability. He emphasized that the EWER system will serve as a holistic pathway to preventing violent conflicts while enhancing food security and economic growth under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The session brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the peace and security spectrum. These experts will share data and insights to build a long-term network under the National Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (NCEWERS).
The Minister congratulated the Director-General of the IPCR and the Team Lead of SPRiNG for their successful coordination of the event, expressing confidence that the deliberations would lead to a more secure and inclusive Nigeria.