Abuja, Nigeria — In a bold move to strengthen Nigeria’s peace architecture and promote inclusive governance, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Chieftaincy Matters, Abbas Tijjani Hashim, has unveiled the National Traditional Leaders’ Summit on Mediation, Conflict Management, and Peacebuilding — a visionary initiative designed to harness the influence of traditional rulers in sustaining national harmony and democratic resilience.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Hashim described the forthcoming summit as “a historic milestone in Nigeria’s collective journey toward sustainable peace, social cohesion, and democratic excellence.” The initiative, he explained, forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader commitment to strengthening traditional institutions as key pillars of governance, stability, and national unity.
Hashim noted that traditional rulers remain “monuments of endurance, wisdom, and legitimacy,” whose grassroots authority is indispensable to Nigeria’s peace and justice systems. He observed that over 150 million Nigerians reside within traditional jurisdictions, where emirs, obas, obis, and chiefs often serve as mediators, moral compasses, and custodians of community cohesion.
“Our royal fathers are the first responders when tensions arise, the trusted mediators when neighbors disagree, and the guardians of social harmony when communities face division,” Hashim emphasized.
The summit, set to host over 350 traditional leaders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, will span ten months and rotate across the six geopolitical zones. Its focus areas include modern mediation techniques, democratic education, electoral peacebuilding, post-conflict reconciliation, and inclusive governance — equipping traditional leaders with tools to mitigate conflicts and promote peace ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A major highlight of the programme is the plan to integrate traditional institutions into Nigeria’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, thereby bridging the gap between customary justice systems and formal legal mechanisms. According to Hashim, the long-term goal is to establish traditional mediation centres in every senatorial district, providing citizens with accessible, culturally grounded pathways to justice.
“We envision a Nigeria where disputes are resolved quickly and affordably through restorative dialogue, not adversarial litigation,” he said. “Traditional leaders will serve as guardians of electoral peace and civic educators who help prevent election-related violence.”
Hashim also called on development partners, civil society, and the private sector to collaborate in advancing the programme’s objectives, noting that it aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.
He added that upon completion, the summit would stand as “the most comprehensive traditional institutional capacity-building programme in Africa,” capable of serving as a model for ECOWAS member states seeking homegrown solutions to peace and governance challenges.
“Mr. President believes deeply in the transformative powers of traditional institutions to strengthen our democracy and sustain our unity,” Hashim said. “Together, we can make them central to Nigeria’s peace, stability, and democratic consolidation.”
The press conference drew several dignitaries, including Hon. Mohammed Abdulmumin, Chairman of the House Committee on Traditional Institutions (representing the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass); Ambassador Issah Niniola, Executive Director of ReCap Africa; and Mr. Zakari Nasri, who represented the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, among others — all of whom commended the initiative as a timely step toward a more peaceful and participatory Nigeria.