Military Turns to Veterans for Peacebuilding as New Mediation Initiative Takes Off

 Military Turns to Veterans for Peacebuilding as New Mediation Initiative Takes Off

By Auwal Ahmad

The Nigerian military has initiated a new strategy to involve retired service personnel in tackling the country’s growing wave of violent conflicts, with a focus on dialogue, mediation and grassroots peace efforts.

This development was unveiled by the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, during the inauguration of a specialised training programme on mediation and conflict resolution for ex-servicemen in Abuja.

The capacity-building exercise, organised by the Retired Members of Nigeria Armed Forces in partnership with the Mediation Training Institute and Defence Headquarters, is designed to equip veterans with contemporary skills in negotiation, dispute resolution and community engagement.

Speaking at the event, Oluyede said the initiative marks a deliberate shift towards strengthening non-military approaches to security challenges, especially as many conflicts across the country stem from communal disagreements and local tensions.

He explained that while military operations remain important, they are not sufficient on their own to ensure lasting peace, stressing the need for proactive measures such as dialogue and early intervention.

According to him, retired military personnel bring valuable experience, discipline and public trust, making them well-suited to mediate disputes and de-escalate tensions at the community level.

“Sustainable peace cannot rely solely on force. It requires a balance of both security operations and non-kinetic strategies. Our veterans understand the realities of conflict and are in a strong position to foster reconciliation and restraint within communities,” he said.

The defence chief added that the programme would also contribute to strengthening early warning mechanisms by improving the flow of information between communities and security agencies, while remaining supportive of, rather than replacing, existing security structures.

Also speaking, the President of the Coalition of Concerned Veterans Association, Isaac Oguntuyi, described the initiative as an extension of national service, encouraging participants to extend the knowledge gained to other retired personnel nationwide.

He reaffirmed the commitment of former service members to national peace and stability, noting that their role in safeguarding the country does not end after retirement.

In the same vein, the National Coordinator of REMENAF, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, highlighted the unique advantage veterans possess in intelligence gathering and community relations due to their operational background.

He noted that their involvement in peacebuilding efforts would help prevent conflicts before they escalate into violence.

The initiative underscores a growing focus within Nigeria’s security architecture on preventive and community-driven solutions, aimed at easing the burden on frontline troops while addressing the root causes of unrest.

Analysts say the programme could significantly boost local mediation capacity and contribute to reducing violent clashes through sustained engagement and non-violent conflict resolution strategies.