Universities must lead peace-building efforts, says SAZU VC
The Vice Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Professor Fatimah Tahir, has emphasized the critical role of universities in promoting peace, resilience, and social harmony, especially in regions facing complex security challenges.
She made this call at a One-Day Workshop on Youth Engagement in Peacebuilding, organized by the University’s Centre for Peace, Security and Social Studies (SATCEPSS).
Represented by Dr. Wasilu Suleiman, Professor Tahir noted that universities must go beyond teaching and research to actively shape values, leadership, and civic responsibility among young people.
Professor Tahir highlighted the growing importance of youth inclusion in peace processes, stressing that young people, when empowered with the right skills and opportunities, can serve as powerful agents of peace. She however warned that exclusion of youth could expose them to manipulation, violence, and extremism.
She stressed that institutions of higher learning have a moral and social obligation to contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding initiatives within their communities.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of SATCEPSS, Dr. Yusuf Musa Yahaya, underscored the importance of youth participation in sustainable peace-building, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as North-East Nigeria.
Dr. Yahaya referenced the United Nations Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda, anchored on UN Security Council Resolutions 2250, 2419, and 2535, which recognize young people as key partners in peace-building rather than passive victims or security threats.
The workshop aimed to equip participants with peace-building skills applicable within their communities, campuses, and organizations.
It brought together youth leaders, facilitators, academics, and other stakeholders, reinforcing SAZU’s growing role as a hub for peace and security discourse in the region.
