Key stakeholders from civil society, media, and security advocacy groups on Friday, September 19, 2025, converged at BWC Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, for the Lagos and Ogun Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Sensitization and Engagement Forum, organized by the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network.
The forum, which brought together representatives of Media Against Violent Extremism (MAVE), journalists, civil society organizations, and policy advocates, sought to deepen collaboration on addressing the root causes of violent extremism in Nigeria while promoting peace and security in the Southwest region.
Senator Iroegbu, media consultant and coordinator for PAVE Network, underscored that violent extremism in Nigeria is largely a developmental issue driven by poverty, lack of education, unemployment, and governance gaps. According to him, violent extremism thrives where grievances remain unaddressed and where communities suffer from underdevelopment.
“Extremism itself is not always negative; it becomes dangerous when it turns violent and forceful. Most of the foot soldiers of violent extremism are ignorant and unemployed. That is why this forum is not just a talk show but a platform to identify peculiar issues in the Southwest, foster synergy, and push for people-driven solutions,” he said.
He further stressed that Nigeria is experiencing an “asymmetric conflict” where combatants blend into society, making it difficult for conventional security forces to tackle. “Security is local,” he added, urging communities to revive traditional systems of collective vigilance and neighborliness.
Mrs. Precious Igbonwelundu, Assistant News Editor at *The Nation* newspaper, identified ethno-religious strife, land grabbing, cultism, thuggery, and porous borders as major threats in the Southwest. She emphasized the role of journalists in amplifying voices of peace, cautioning against sensational reporting that could escalate tensions.
Prince Awofeso Rasheed, CEO of Children and Community Protection Network and Vice Chairman of PAVE Lagos chapter, lamented the proliferation of arms since the civil war, weak data systems, and poor government response to insecurity. He called for education, sensitization, and curriculum reforms to reorient younger generations away from divisive ideologies.
Also speaking, Evelyn Usman, Senior Correspondent of *Vanguard* newspaper, warned that the media, if not careful, could inflame violence through sensational reportage. She urged journalists to strike a balance between national interest and public accountability while highlighting the plight of victims rather than glorifying perpetrators.
The forum concluded with a consensus that preventing and countering violent extremism requires a whole-of-society approach, with citizens, the media, civil society, and government working hand-in-hand to detect early warning signs and avert escalation.
PAVE Network, a national civil society platform, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding through collaborative engagements across Nigeria.