Produces Policy Blueprint for Conflict Prevention
By Igbotako Nowinta
Ekpoma, Edo State
Scholars, policy experts, researchers and peacebuilding practitioners from across Nigeria and beyond converged on Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, for a landmark international conference that called for stronger leadership, democratic governance and practical strategies for sustainable peace in Africa.
The three-day conference, which commenced on Monday, August 3 and concluded on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, was organised by the Confronting Atrocity Project, McMaster University, Canada, in collaboration with the Department of History and International Studies, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
Beyond intellectual discourse, participants described the conference as a strategic intervention aimed at generating practical policy solutions to the growing challenges of violent conflicts, democratic instability and governance deficits confronting many African societies.
Convener of the conference, Dr. Idonije Okhiku, a lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations and Management, Ambrose Alli University, said the gathering was designed to bridge the gap between academic research and public policy by bringing together experts from diverse disciplines to interrogate contemporary issues of leadership, democracy and peacebuilding.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Bonny Ibhawoh, Director of the Confronting Atrocity Project at McMaster University, Canada, challenged governments, institutions and civil society organisations to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold human rights and invest in inclusive governance capable of preventing atrocities before they occur.
According to him, sustainable peace cannot flourish where democratic institutions are weak, justice is compromised and citizens are excluded from governance, stressing that Africa must continue to develop home-grown approaches to conflict prevention while embracing international best practices.
The conference also featured thought-provoking lead papers presented by Professor Cyrille Dalex Ngamen Kouassi, Director of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State, and Professor Austine Ojugo, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Ambrose Alli University.
The presentations examined contemporary challenges confronting democratic governance, conflict management, leadership accountability and peacebuilding, while offering evidence-based recommendations for strengthening institutions and promoting peaceful coexistence across communities.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Efosa Oseghale, Professor of History and Dean of Student Affairs at Ambrose Alli University, described the conference as a significant contribution to ongoing efforts to deepen scholarly engagement on issues affecting governance and human security in Nigeria and the African continent.
One of the major highlights of the conference was the production of a comprehensive policy brief containing actionable recommendations distilled from the deliberations of participants.
The organisers disclosed that the policy document would be circulated beyond the academic community to key stakeholders, including local government authorities, relevant ministries, development partners and non-governmental organisations, in line with global best practices.
They explained that the policy brief is expected to serve as an important reference document for policymakers, development agencies and peacebuilding organisations in designing effective conflict prevention and early intervention strategies.
Participants expressed optimism that the conference outcomes would contribute meaningfully to public policy, strengthen democratic governance and promote sustainable peace through informed decision-making and stronger collaboration between academia, government and civil society.
The conference reaffirmed the growing role of universities as centres of policy innovation and intellectual leadership, demonstrating that rigorous scholarship, when effectively translated into practical policy recommendations, remains a vital instrument for preventing conflicts, consolidating democracy and advancing sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa.
