On Monday 18 August 2025, the former Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, former Joint Special Representative of United Nations, African Union and Chief Mediator in Dafur, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari CFR delivered a lecture titled ‘Introduction to Conflict Resolution Mechanisms’, to participants of Naval Warfare Course (NWC) 9 of Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN). The lecture held at the College Auditorium was part of the Peace Support Operations Module for the Course. The purpose of the lecture was to discuss methods and processes for curbing and restoring peace, as well as to determine appropriate conflict resolution mechanisms for varying situations.
Professor Ibrahim Gambari highlighted the approaches to conflict resolution, which include initiating conflict resolution, identifying the problem, good governance, and a sound business environment. Others include equitable distribution of resources, respecting the rights of others and human capital development. He stated that these approaches to conflict resolution could ensure sustainable peace if the nation and society team together to end threats to domestic peace. He further stated that good governance and inclusiveness as well as strong institutions, would promote peace across the globe. He also highlighted some mechanisms for conflict resolution, which include negotiations, mediation, arbitration as well as litigation. Others include collaboration and cultural diplomacy.
The seasoned guest speaker underscored the need for strong institutions like the military to unite, noting that in most cases, there are no military solutions to most conflicts, particularly intra-state conflicts. He thereafter highlighted some obstacles to conflict resolution, which include communication, power imbalance, and internal dynamics of the state. Others include the use of force and implementation strategies. Professor Gambari concluded his lecture by emphasizing the importance of togetherness between the entire society and nations to end violent conflict and build a peace that is firmly rooted in good governance, justice and inclusiveness. He further stated that the strategy to adopt by African leaders to effectively manage the role of spoilers while pursuing inclusive peace in Africa is the ‘carrot and stick’ method. According to him, during the peace process, spoilers are bound to exist, either homegrown or externally induced and the best approach is the ‘carrot and stick’.
The Commandant NWCN, Rear Admiral AO Olodude appreciated the Guest Speaker for sparing time from his busy schedule to deliver the lecture. He thereafter described the lecture as ‘insightful’, adding that it had equipped the participants of NWC 9 with relevant knowledge in the area of conflict resolution. The Commandant concluded his remarks by encouraging participants to note the lessons drawn from the lecture for future applications as operational-level commanders.
