By Sarafina Christopher
Abuja, April 23, 2026- A peacebuilding expert, Mr Rafiu Lawal, says Nigeria’s long-term stability and development depend on sustained investment in education, employment, healthcare and social infrastructure.
Lawal, Executive Director of Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, made the call in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
He said insecurity and social instability were deeply linked to poverty, unemployment and lack of basic infrastructure, especially in vulnerable regions of the country.
According to him, without addressing these structural challenges, efforts to achieve peace would remain limited in impact.
“We need to invest in education, jobs, healthcare and opportunities for our people.
“When people have access to opportunities and hope, they are less likely to be drawn into violence,” he said.
Lawal said many parts of the country, particularly the North-East, continued to suffer from weak infrastructure, limited economic opportunities and inadequate social protection systems.
He noted that the absence of functional systems that support youth development had created conditions that fuel frustration and insecurity.
The expert stressed that investment in human capital development remained the most effective long-term strategy for national transformation.
“If we get education right, if we get employment right, if we get healthcare right, Nigeria will experience a major shift in peace and development,” he said.
Lawal also urged the government to ensure more effective and transparent management of public resources to achieve visible results in critical sectors.
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