This assertion was made at a media engagement forum in Kaduna, themed "Amplifying Voices for Peace: Media Partnerships in PCVE and Resilience-Building."
Jaye Gaskiya, Chairman of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) National Steering Committee, noted that extremist groups often thrive in communities with unaddressed development gaps.
Gaskiya stressed that while security measures are crucial, they must be complemented with broader socio-economic reforms to address root causes such as limited access to education, jobs, healthcare, and housing.
The PAVE Network is collaborating with governments and communities to design action plans against violent extremism, emphasizing the importance of grassroots leadership and participation.
Yetunde Adegoke, National Coordinator of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), highlighted the organization's support for civil society initiatives in Nigeria, particularly targeting women and youth.
GCERF aims to strengthen community resilience against extremist recruitment by promoting education, skills, and inclusion.
The organization is expanding its work in North-Central and North-West states, collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to embed community-based solutions within Nigeria's national framework for preventing violent extremism.
Both speakers emphasized the importance of collective action, urging collaboration between government, civil society, and the media to build resilience and restore hope in vulnerable communities.