By Segun Adewale in Bauchi
Vice Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Professor Fatimah Tahir, has emphasized the critical role of universities in promoting peace, resilience, and social harmony, particularly in regions facing complex security challenges.
She made the call over the weekend at a One-Day Workshop on Youth Engagement in Peacebuilding, organised by the University’s Centre for Peace, Security and Social Studies (SATCEPSS).
Represented by Dr. Wasilu Suleiman, the Vice Chancellor noted that universities must go beyond teaching and research to actively shape values, leadership, and civic responsibility among young people. According to her, institutions of higher learning have a moral and social obligation to contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding initiatives within their communities.
Professor Tahir highlighted the growing importance of youth inclusion in peace processes, stressing that young people, when empowered with the right skills and opportunities, can serve as powerful agents of peace. She however warned that exclusion of youth could expose them to manipulation, violence, and extremism.
The Vice Chancellor commended SATCEPSS for its sustained efforts in advancing research, dialogue, and capacity-building on peace and security issues, describing the workshop as a clear demonstration of the University’s commitment to bridging academic knowledge with community impact.
She urged participants to engage actively in the discussions and ensure that lessons learned at the workshop translate into tangible peace initiatives across Bauchi State and beyond.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of SATCEPSS, Dr. Yusuf Musa Yahaya, underscored the importance of youth participation in sustainable peacebuilding, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as North-East Nigeria.
Dr. Yahaya referenced the United Nations Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda, anchored on UN Security Council Resolutions 2250, 2419, and 2535, which recognize young people as key partners in peacebuilding rather than passive victims or security threats.
He explained that the workshop was designed as a practical, action-oriented platform aimed at equipping participants with peacebuilding skills applicable within their communities, campuses, and organisations.
The workshop brought together youth leaders, facilitators, academics, and other stakeholders, reinforcing SAZU’s growing role as a hub for peace and security discourse in the region.
