Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa Deepen Cross-Border Dialogue for Sustainable Peace
By Christiana Babayo
The sustained inter-state dialogue among Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States has continued to gather momentum, as stakeholders intensify collaboration to address cross-border security and communal challenges through structured engagement.
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The renewed push follows the Third Inter-State Peacebuilding Convening held in Wukari, Taraba State, on February 18–19, 2026, under the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The February dialogue brought together representatives of the three state governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, civil society actors, women, youth and persons with disabilities. It built on earlier convenings in Makurdi in July 2025 and Lafia in November 2025, reinforcing a growing commitment to institutionalised, cross-border cooperation.
In a communiqué adopted at the close of the Wukari meeting, and signed by the three state government representatives, participants acknowledged that conflict dynamics across the three states are interconnected and transcend administrative boundaries.
They reaffirmed their collective resolve to pursue coordinated and preventive approaches to peacebuilding rather than fragmented and reactive responses.
The communiqué highlighted measurable progress since the commencement of the dialogue process.
“We further affirm the resolutions reached in Makurdi and advanced in Lafia, noting with appreciation the measurable progress achieved since those engagements. In Nasarawa State, the Peacebuilding Commission Bill has progressed to its Second Reading at the State House of Assembly, reflecting meaningful legislative momentum toward institutionalisation.
“In Benue State, the upcoming launch of the State Peacebuilding Plan on 25 February 2026
represents a significant step in translating dialogue into structured policy action.
“Despite these advances, persistent cross-border security threats, resource-based tensions, misinformation, and coordination gaps highlight the continued necessity of this convening in Taraba. ” The communiqué noted.
To strengthen cooperation, the states agreed to validate and operationalise an Inter-State Peace and Security Coordination Architecture, designate focal institutions to ensure continuity, and establish a Technical Coordination Hub to harmonise early warning systems, track joint initiatives and sustain institutional memory.
They also committed to implementing pilot peacebuilding interventions in identified cross-border hotspots and adopting a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework to enhance accountability and transparency.
The process also places emphasis on embedding gender equality, disability inclusion and youth participation within all coordination mechanisms to ensure inclusive and legitimate peace structures.
“Accordingly, we agree to: Knowledge Transfer and Institutional Continuity: Participants commit to step down the lessons, tools, and agreements from this engagement within their respective institutions and to build the capacity of colleagues to ensure continuity, ownership, and sustained implementation.
“Validate and operationalise the Inter-State Peace and Security Coordination Architecture, including the designation of state focal institutions and persons to facilitate structured and continuous collaboration.
“Support the establishment of the Technical Coordination Hub/Secretariat, with a clear mandate to coordinate communication, support early warning and response harmonisation, track implementation of joint initiatives, and sustain institutional memory. We commit to ensuring that this mechanism operates with transparency, neutrality, and accountability.” Part of the Communique read
Meanwhile, the two Governors, Benue and Taraba meeting in Wukari today reinforces the strategic importance of strengthening collaboration between the two states on shared security concerns and peace.
The engagement between the two Chief Executives demonstrates a high-level commitment that gives credence to the tripartite dialogue that was begun by the Peace Commissions in the three States.
With continued engagement and institutional backing, the Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba inter-state dialogue is increasingly positioning itself as a proactive model for subnational peacebuilding rooted in partnership, coordination and sustained cooperation.
