In a renewed effort to strengthen peacebuilding and community development in Northwest Nigeria, Mercy Corps has trained government officials in Katsina State on strategic planning, conflict-sensitive governance and inclusive decision-making aimed at tackling local challenges more effectively.

The capacity-building programme, held on Monday in Katsina, brought together government officials to enhance their ability to design and implement practical action plans capable of addressing conflict, improving service delivery and promoting sustainable development across communities.

Speaking at the training, Mercy Corps Programme Manager, Philip Ikita, said the initiative is being implemented under the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) Programme, a European Union-funded intervention targeted at strengthening peace and stability in vulnerable communities.

According to him, the programme is being executed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with Mercy Corps and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Ikita stressed that effective planning remains one of the most critical tools for translating government policies and community needs into tangible results.

He noted that public officials play a vital role in ensuring that development projects respond to local realities, explaining that they serve as the bridge between communities and government institutions responsible for budgeting, policy implementation and service delivery.

“Government officials occupy a strategic position in the development process because they coordinate services, allocate resources, provide technical guidance and connect community priorities with local and state development plans,” he said.

The training, he explained, was designed to equip participants with practical tools for developing realistic and inclusive action plans that address peacebuilding, natural resource management, community development and governance challenges.

Beyond planning skills, participants are expected to improve their ability to identify community needs, analyse conflict-related issues, prioritise interventions and design measurable programmes capable of producing lasting impact.

Ikita said the training would also strengthen efforts to ensure that community concerns are reflected in local government and state development frameworks through greater accountability, citizen participation and responsive governance.

He added that another major focus of the programme is improving collaboration between government institutions and community structures by clearly defining responsibilities, timelines, resource requirements and monitoring mechanisms.

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According to him, the initiative is intended to encourage government-led solutions by empowering officials to mobilise local resources, monitor projects, manage risks and mentor other stakeholders involved in community development efforts.

The Mercy Corps official noted that the CPCRR Programme builds on achievements recorded under the earlier Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation (CMCR) project, with a broader mandate to promote long-term peace and resilience across Northwest Nigeria.

Currently, the programme is being implemented in 48 communities across 10 local government areas in Katsina and Zamfara states, focusing on addressing the underlying causes of conflict, strengthening local resilience and supporting socio-economic recovery.

Its overall goal, he said, is to foster lasting peace and economic stability through community-driven, inclusive and sustainable interventions.

As part of its contribution, Mercy Corps is leading activities that support conflict prevention mechanisms, community dialogue and resilience-building initiatives, particularly in areas vulnerable to insecurity and climate-related challenges.

The organisation is also implementing Community Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in selected local government areas of Katsina State to address immediate community needs and improve living conditions.

The benefiting LGAs include Batsari, Danmusa, Jibia, Kankara, Dandume, Faskari, Sabuwa and Safana, many of which have faced security and development challenges in recent years.

Ikita highlighted Mercy Corps’ longstanding presence in Nigeria, noting that since 2012, the organisation has worked extensively in the areas of peacebuilding, governance, youth development and climate resilience.

He urged participants to put the lessons learned into practice, emphasizing that sustainable peace and development can only be achieved when government institutions take ownership of solutions and work closely with communities.

The training comes at a time when stakeholders are increasingly advocating stronger local governance systems as a pathway to addressing insecurity, promoting social cohesion and accelerating development across Northwest Nigeria.