European Union Launches €5.1 Million Peace Project for Northwest Nigeria
By Mu’awiyya Bala Idris Katsina
The European Union has officially launched a major peacebuilding initiative, the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response, and Resilience Programme (CPCRR), with a financial commitment of €5.1 million. The 18-month program is designed to foster stability and empower communities in eight local government areas in Katsina State and two in Zamfara State, regions significantly impacted by insecurity and displacement.
The program is implemented in collaboration with a consortium of partners, including the Center for Democratic Development (CDD), Mercy Corps, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Speaking at the launch event held at the Hillside Hotel in Katsina, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Grantier Migrot, described the project as a “new era for hope, partnership, and collective action.”
“This project is designed to empower communities at the grassroots level,” stated Ambassador Migrot. “It will specifically target displaced persons, host communities, and other vulnerable groups through interventions in vocational training, climate-smart agriculture, and improved market access. Our focus remains firmly on dialogue, education, and empowerment.”
The scale of the crisis in the region was highlighted by the Chief of Mission for IOM Nigeria, Mr. Dimanche Sharon, who revealed that insecurity has displaced over 1.3 million people in Northwest Nigeria as of February 2025.
“Too many families have been displaced, too many farms abandoned, and too many lives destroyed by insecurity,” said Mr. Sharon. “Despite these challenges, the people of Katsina and Zamfara have shown remarkable resilience, determination, and a will to rebuild. This program is about turning that resilience into lasting peace and stability.”
He added that the program will directly benefit over 95,000 individuals. “It is an investment in the people of Katsina and Zamfara—in its youth, in its women, in persons with disability, and in its future. We will build bridges between communities, strengthen trust in local governance, and ensure no one is left behind.”
His Excellency, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State, officially launched the program and commended the European Union for its commitment to lasting peace in the two states.
“This intervention is a testament to the shared commitment to addressing the root causes of conflict and building resilience within our communities,” Governor Radda stated.
To ensure effective implementation, the Governor inaugurated a 21-member steering committee that will operate under his leadership. The committee includes commissioners for Education, Agriculture, Local Government, Security, Environment, Information, and Women Affairs, as well as the Executive Secretary of the State Development Board. Governor Radda further assured that his administration would provide additional funds to ensure the smooth execution of the program.
The Executive Secretary of the State Development Board, Dr. Mustapha Shehu, also spoke, commending Governor Radda’s initiatives that paved the way for the EU and its partners to intervene. Dr. Shehu assured that the board would work diligently to achieve the program’s objectives.
