Education is a powerful tool that can be yielded to tackle pressing societal issues. From unemployment to youth apathy and climate awareness, education remains a vital key for positive change.

But there’s a pressing issue in Nigeria today—the state of insecurity. Can education solve this crisis too? How can we leverage education to address insecurity, promote peace and champion nonviolence?

The State of Insecurity in Nigeria 

The 2023 Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria as the 8th most terror-affected country in the world, as 13,000 people were killed and 4,500 abducted that year (SBM Intelligence, 2023).

These numbers indicate that insecurity in Nigeria has reached critical levels. From insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, to the high rate of kidnapping across the nation, our lives are constantly at risk.

But what if education could contribute to changing this narrative? 

“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” The UN Constitution (preamble)

How Education Reduces Insecurity and Promotes Peace

Peace often feels like a distant dream to us. Oftentimes, we view peace as an utopian state of existence that might not manifest in this generation, or even in thousands of generations to come.

But peace could be a kind act we did in a day. Peace could be the cessation of gunfire in the midst of conflict. Peace could be the union of disputing communities to form an alliance that benefits both ends.

Peace starts today. It’s a journey, not a destination. And education can be used to facilitate more acts of peace. Here’s how: 

• Education Takes Vulnerable Children Off the Streets: Street kids are at high risk of being recruited by criminal or extremist groups. Deprived of education and economic empowerment, street kids are often trapped in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness. In such conditions, it becomes easy to lure them into theft, drug trafficking, armed violence, etc. Enrolling children in school reduces this risk. School helps them see alternatives to a life of violence and crime, equipping them with academic, moral, and social skills for a brighter future.

• Education Empowers People to Thrive: A 2023 report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), titled “Journey to Extremism in Africa: Pathways to Recruitment and Disengagement,” revealed that lack of economic opportunity is pushing young people in Sub-Saharan Africa—including Nigeria—toward violent extremist groups. After interviewing over 2,000 individuals, the study found that many recruits were motivated by frustration, poverty, and the absence of alternatives. This is what happens when people are denied access to education—their chances of securing meaningful employment or starting sustainable businesses are drastically limited. With few options for survival, some turn to crime or radical groups that promise a sense of purpose or financial gain. Education changes that trajectory. It opens doors to opportunity, builds confidence, and equips individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. According to the UNDP report, investing in education is essential for breaking cycles of extremism and fostering peace across the region.

• Education Instills Values of Peace: Education is a powerful vehicle for promoting peace, nonviolence, acceptance, and tolerance. According to research by UNESCO, peace education significantly reduces incidences of school-based violence. This was evident during Dbegotin Educational Foundation’s Activism Against School-related Gender-Based Violence, conducted across 10 schools in 2023. The initiative raised awareness among students about GBV, preventive strategies, and reporting mechanisms. It also equipped teachers and school administrators with tools to create safer, more inclusive classrooms. Peace education helps to counteract stereotypes, hate speech, discrimination, and school-related gender-based violence. By promoting positive values in school, we are shaping the next generation into peace-builders and responsible citizens.

Conclusion

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In Nigeria today, education could be the weapon that disarms violence and builds lasting peace.

Investing in education is always a gainful investment. If we want to reduce violence and build a peaceful society, we must commit to keeping children in school and embedding peace education in our curriculum.