ABAK PEACE FOUNDATION’S PARTICIPATION AT THE 5TH LAKE CHAD BASIN GOVERNORS' FORUM

In a significant stride toward strengthening regional peace and development, ABAK Peace Foundation was honored as one of the three organizations selected from Adamawa State to participate in the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors' Forum, a high-level strategic meeting convened to address the multidimensional challenges facing the Lake Chad region.
Held under the theme of regional cooperation, peace, and sustainable development, the forum brought together governors from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, alongside international development partners and civil society organizations. The discussions focused on shared strategies to address security threats, foster social cohesion, and drive long-term development across the region.

Strategic Objectives of the Forum
Key objectives included:
Strengthening Security and Stability:

• Empowering the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to tackle Boko Haram insurgency and transnational criminal threats.
• Securing vulnerable Lake Chad islands and waterways.
• Curbing illicit arms flow and drug trafficking.

Rehabilitation, Durable Solutions, and Development:

• Supporting reintegration of ex-combatants.
• Promoting regional trade, infrastructure, and climate-resilient economic opportunities.
• Advancing ecosystem restoration and resilience of the Lake Chad basin.

Governance and Social Development:

• Promoting inclusive leadership through the involvement of traditional and religious leaders.
• Prioritizing youth and women engagement in peacebuilding.
• Mobilizing development financing through mechanisms like the Special Multi-
• Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF) and Nexus Funding Facility (NFF).

International Partnerships and Advocacy:

• Reviewing implementation of the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience (RS-SRR).
• Building strategic alignment with international donors and agencies for peace sustainability.

ABAK Peace Foundation’s Contribution and Commitment
As a grassroots-driven organization with a strong presence in Northeast Nigeria, ABAK Peace Foundation leveraged this opportunity to share local insights and community-based strategies that align with the Forum’s broader regional goals. The Foundation’s presence at this critical gathering is a testament to its growing reputation as a peacebuilding catalyst and development actor in conflict-affected areas.
Since the forum, ABAK Peace Foundation has taken concrete steps to domesticate the lessons learned:

• Initiated community dialogue platforms engaging youth, women, traditional leaders, and security stakeholders to localize peace efforts.
• Collaborated with local partners to support reintegration programs for vulnerable populations, including survivors and former insurgents.
• Integrated climate-smart approaches and livelihood recovery initiatives to empower conflict-affected households, particularly in rural border communities.
• Actively seeking partnerships to tap into funding opportunities presented during the forum to expand its impact.

Conclusion
The 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum was a defining moment for ABAK Peace Foundation. It not only enriched the organization’s understanding of regional stabilization frameworks but also positioned it to play a strategic role in driving sustainable peace, inclusive governance, and community resilience in Adamawa State and beyond.
ABAK Peace Foundation remains committed to leveraging this experience to build bridges of peace, foster development, and amplify local voices in the broader regional discourse on the future of the Lake Chad Basin.