The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has emphasized the importance of Early Warning and Response Systems (EWRS) in preventing socio-political crises in Nigeria. This assertion was made during a media briefing in Enugu, organized in collaboration with Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) and supported by the Open Society Foundation Africa (OSF-Africa).
Auwal Ibrahim Musa, CISLAC’s Executive Director and Head of TI-Nigeria, highlighted the increasing prevalence of violent conflicts globally since the 2000s and the urgent need to adopt proactive measures to prevent the escalation of violence. He stressed that EWRS offers effective tools for conflict prevention, particularly when initiated at the earliest stages of crises or natural disasters.
Musa underscored the necessity of integrating communities, decision-makers, and various stakeholders in the EWRS framework to enhance its effectiveness. He noted that CISLAC’s ongoing project, supported by OSF-Africa, aims to strengthen local capacity, advocacy, and accountability for early conflict detection and civilian protection.
Challenges facing EWRS implementation, such as poor logistics, low morale among personnel, inadequate technology, and inter-agency rivalry, were highlighted. Musa also pointed out that sensationalized media reports, unchecked substance abuse, and mismanagement of security funds exacerbate conflicts and instability in Nigeria.
CISLAC recommended establishing informed community networks for intelligence gathering, increasing awareness on drug abuse in schools, adequately resourcing response institutions, and fostering synergy among traditional and community leaders to prevent conflicts.