The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has trained ministry officials and journalists on how to communicate livestock reforms in ways that promote peace and prevent conflict.
The four-day workshop, held in Abuja, focused on conflict-sensitive communication for senior ministry leaders and media practitioners from across the country.
This was contained in a statement by the ministry, made available to newsmen on Friday.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the training would help ensure that policies, such as the Nigerian Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, are explained in ways that build trust and foster collaboration between farmers and herders.
Maiha said, “The plans, programmes, and activities of the Ministry need to be communicated in a manner that ensures correct and adequate understanding of the objectives and rationale for our policies and interventions.
“This workshop is about mastering the art of communication that builds trust, fosters collaboration, and creates a peaceful environment for innovation and productivity in the livestock sector.”
FCDO’s Conflict Adviser, Pirmah Rimdans, described peacebuilding as central to livestock reforms, adding that the initiative showed the ministry’s commitment to avoiding communication that could escalate tensions.
“We agree wholeheartedly with the experts who say that Pillar Six on Peacebuilding, Security and Social Cohesion should be the bedrock and priority of this growth agenda.
This workshop shows the Ministry’s commitment to making that principle a reality, and we are proud to support it,” Rimdans said.
SPRiNG Team Leader, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, noted that even well-intentioned reforms could face resistance if poorly communicated.
“Sometimes we set out to do good things, but without conflict-sensitive communication, even well-intentioned reforms can attract unexpected negative reactions leading to unintended consequences.
This is why we are partnering with the Ministry to ensure that reforms are presented in ways that build understanding, reduce tension, and foster stakeholder ownership and involvement,” Ukiwo said.
The training included case studies, role-play exercises, and action planning, with participants developing strategies to institutionalise responsible, solutions-focused communication.
The SPRiNG Programme is a four-year initiative (2024-2028) funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
It works to enhance institutional capacity for conflict management and response, boost public confidence in key institutions, and create greater incentives for peace.
SPRING provides technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to design and implement policies and practices to promote productivity and sustainable peace.