Nigeria First Unity Summit Calls for Collective Action on Peace, National Cohesion
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Nigeria First Unity Summit Calls for Collective Action on Peace, National Cohesion
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Nigeria First Unity Summit 2025 on Thursday brought together government officials, youth leaders, peace advocates, development partners and civil society organisations in Abuja, with a strong call for collective responsibility in addressing insecurity and strengthening national unity.
Organised by the City Boy Movement, the summit, themed “Peace, Unity and Security: A Collective Responsibility,” focused on reshaping Nigeria’s national narrative, countering divisive rhetoric and mobilising citizens across ethnic, religious and regional lines to work towards peace and stability.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr Emmanuel Mamman emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue, peace education and conflict prevention in building a united nation.
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Mamman noted that the summit aligned with the mandate of the IPCR to promote understanding and strengthen social cohesion among Nigeria’s diverse communities.
A major highlight of the summit was the address by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Dr Daniel Bwala, who warned that misinformation and divisive narratives had become potent tools for destabilising nations.
Bwala stressed that narratives could either build or destroy a country, urging Nigerians, particularly the youth, to use digital platforms responsibly.
He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to transparent communication, national unity and rebuilding public trust.
According to him, Nigeria is not fighting a religious or ethnic war but confronting criminal elements determined to undermine national stability.
He called on young people to tell Nigeria’s story with “truth, balance and dignity,” noting that responsible communication was now a critical component of national security.
In his address, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Dr Musa Babayo, highlighted the link between insecurity, infrastructure development and economic growth.
He said insecurity not only leads to loss of lives but also disrupts economic activities, transportation networks and social integration.
Babayo described unity as non-negotiable for Nigeria’s survival, noting that development could not thrive without peace.
He reaffirmed FERMA’s commitment to maintaining safer federal roads, which he said were vital for military operations, humanitarian interventions, trade and national cohesion.
He urged Nigerians to reject divisive narratives and embrace responsible citizenship.
The Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, in his address titled “Towards a Safer Tomorrow: Nigeria’s Commitment to Stability,” said insecurity across the country should not be misrepresented as genocide or ethnic cleansing.
Shoga argued that the challenges confronting the nation amounted to a war against all Nigerians by criminal elements who do not discriminate on the basis of tribe, religion or region.
He warned against misinterpretation of Nigeria’s situation by the international community and called on citizens to reclaim the national narrative.
He said the country’s challenges were neither a North-versus-South nor a Christian-versus-Muslim issue, but a national emergency that required collective action.
Shoga commended President Tinubu and the security agencies for their efforts to stabilise the country and urged citizens to support both government-led and community-based peace initiatives.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr Chukwemeka Mbah reaffirmed the growing influence of youths and social media in shaping national identity and public perception.
He noted that while digital platforms had empowered communities, their misuse could fuel misinformation, hate speech and political manipulation.
Mbah encouraged young Nigerians to become digital peace ambassadors, stressing that national unity begins with the type of content shared online.
The summit also featured a panel session on the theme “Social Media: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” where experts examined the impact of digital platforms on peace and conflict.
Discussions centred on cyberbullying, misinformation, hate speech and the role of social media in mobilising youths for civic engagement.
Panelists agreed that although social media is a powerful tool, it must be deployed responsibly for nation-building.
