By George Ozalla
The Voice of Nigeria Forum 2026 held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja drew a large gathering of government officials, security leaders, diplomats, communication experts and media practitioners, with discussions centred on Nigeria’s 51-year role in strengthening democratic stability across the Economic Community of West African States.
The forum opened with the formal recognition of dignitaries and goodwill messages from participants who reflected on Nigeria’s long-standing involvement in regional peace efforts, mediation processes and democratic transitions within West Africa. A spoken word presentation set the tone for the sessions, with themes drawn from leadership, conflict and shared responsibility in the subregion.
The Etsu Nupe, Dr Abubakar Yahaya, who attended as Special Guest of Honour, underscored the importance of traditional institutions in maintaining peace at the grassroots. He said many disputes can be resolved early through community structures before they escalate, and called for stronger collaboration between traditional rulers and government institutions in managing local tensions.
Former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd), spoke on the security situation across West Africa, noting that cross-border threats remain a major concern for the region. He said no country can address such challenges alone and urged ECOWAS member states to deepen coordination and strengthen intelligence sharing to improve joint responses.
President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, focused on communication and governance, saying that public trust depends heavily on how information is managed and communicated. He warned that misinformation continues to weaken confidence in institutions and called for more consistent, transparent engagement with citizens.
In his remarks, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said the forum was designed to reflect on Nigeria’s role in West Africa and engage ongoing regional challenges. He noted that Nigeria has remained active in peacekeeping and diplomatic interventions over the decades and stressed that the media must continue to present issues in ways that promote understanding across the subregion.
Other goodwill messages from participants also highlighted Nigeria’s contributions to peacekeeping and regional diplomacy, while noting that emerging security and political developments in parts of West Africa require sustained cooperation among member states.
Representatives of government institutions at the forum reaffirmed Nigeria’s continued engagement in regional affairs and the need for stronger collaboration with neighbouring countries in addressing shared political and security concerns.
The event also featured informal interactions among participants, with discussions continuing beyond the main sessions. Group photographs were taken at intervals, capturing the wide range of attendees present at the forum.
Throughout the day, conversations consistently returned to issues of security, governance and regional cooperation, as participants examined how West African countries can consolidate past gains while responding to emerging challenges.
