The Akwa Ibom State Conflict Prevention Council, also known as the Prevent Council, has assessed the state's peace as "relatively stable but fragile". This assessment was made in a communiqué issued on Monday, marking the 2026 International Day of Peace. The council warned that land and boundary disputes, chieftaincy tussles, and youth-related tensions continue to pose risks to peaceful coexistence in the state.
The Prevent Council's assessment followed a special review session on the state of peace in Akwa Ibom and the Niger Delta region. The council's Peacebuilding Consultant, Kufre Essien, signed the communiqué. According to the council, its assessment highlights the need for continuous investment in conflict prevention and early intervention. The relative stability in the state should not be mistaken for the absence of conflict risks.
The Prevent Council attributed much of its peacebuilding capacity to technical, logistical, and capacity-building support from the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND). The council described PIND as the "single largest and most consistent investor in community peace infrastructure in the Niger Delta." The council has used early warning and early response mechanisms to prevent several community disputes from escalating.
The Prevent Council called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to increase funding for peacebuilding and strengthen its collaboration with the council. It also asked private companies, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, women, and youth groups to invest in peacebuilding as part of their corporate and social responsibilities. The council appealed to residents to resolve disputes through dialogue, tolerance, and non-violence.
The council's warning follows renewed attention to land-related disputes in Akwa Ibom. Earlier in September, the state government intervened in a lingering dispute involving the Mbak people, six host communities, Ibom Mortgage Bank, Citadel Value Homes, and other stakeholders in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. The Ministry of Lands and Town Planning urged the parties to embrace dialogue and avoid actions capable of threatening peace in the affected communities.
The Prevent Council's position echoes the emphasis of the United Nations on prevention and grassroots peacebuilding. In his 2026 International Day of Peace message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said peace requires deliberate action, including dialogue, inclusive communities, sustainable development, and institutions that people can trust. The council's commitment to conflict prevention remains guided by neutrality, professionalism, and community service.
The Prevent Council will continue to deploy its community presence and knowledge towards preventing conflicts and promoting peaceful coexistence in Akwa Ibom. The council treats peacebuilding as a continuing investment rather than an intervention that becomes necessary only after violence has erupted. The communiqué was dated 21 September 2026 and issued in Uyo.
Key points
- The Akwa Ibom State Conflict Prevention Council warns of potential threats to peace in the state, including land disputes and chieftaincy tussles.
- The council calls for increased funding for peacebuilding and collaboration with the state government.
- The United Nations emphasises the importance of prevention and grassroots peacebuilding in achieving sustainable peace.
