By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has called for dialogue and consultation as the most effective pillars of regional peace while delivering the keynote lecture at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.
Speaking under the session theme, “Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development,” the minister underscored that constructive engagement and inclusive processes remain fundamental to preventing conflict and sustaining peace. Addressing defence and security leaders, policymakers, diplomats and academics from more than 100 countries, Badaru declared that dialogue offers a surer path to stability than confrontation. “Dialogue succeeds where confrontation fails. It is the foundation on which lasting security is built,” he stated.
The minister drew from Nigeria’s peacebuilding experience, citing the country’s leadership in ECOWAS interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, as well as its contributions to the Multinational Joint Task Force in the fight against Boko Haram. He also referenced domestic initiatives such as the Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta and Operation Safe Corridor, which he said demonstrate the Nigerian government’s commitment to resolving even the most complex crises through dialogue, inclusion and sustained engagement.
Badaru linked his remarks to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, affirming that Nigeria’s strategic autonomy and proactive international engagement underpin its contributions to both regional and global peace. He stressed that domestic reform and multilateral cooperation are mutually reinforcing paths to achieving stability, security and development.
Concluding his address, the defence minister urged global partners to embrace dialogue, consultation and collaboration as shared responsibilities in upholding international order and promoting peaceful development.
