In a powerful gathering aimed at strengthening youth-driven narratives and countering radical ideologies, young peacebuilders, media professionals, and civil society actors converged at Denis Hotel, Wuse 2, Abuja for a two-day strategic workshop focused on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) through effective communication.
Held from April 14 to 15, 2025, the event titled “Strategic Communications and Reflection for PCVE” was organized by the PAVE Network with support from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF). The workshop specifically targeted young Nigerians—positioning them as frontliners in disrupting online and offline radical narratives.
Empowering Youth Voices in a Critical Fight
As violent extremist groups continue to weaponize social media, youth remain both the most vulnerable demographic and the most powerful force for resistance. This workshop challenged that dynamic by shifting the narrative: from youth as targets to youth as changemakers.
"Young people are not just passive consumers of information—they are storytellers, influencers, and watchdogs. If we empower them with the right tools, they can change the tone of the entire digital ecosystem,” said one of the facilitators."
The event brought together over 40 participants from a wide range of organizations, including the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), the PAVE Network, community-based youth groups and peace clubs, as well as local journalists, digital creatives, and faith-based educators and civic mentors. The sessions were led by a team of experienced facilitators, including media development experts, counter-extremism specialists, and youth engagement consultants, who provided hands-on guidance in areas such as campaign design, online safety, narrative mapping, and digital content creation.
Over the course of two dynamic days, participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions that included group reflections, scenario-based simulations, and hands-on prototype labs. These activities were designed to deepen their understanding of how extremist narratives strategically target vulnerable youth in online spaces. Through guided discussions and creative exercises, participants explored the powerful role of visuals, memes, and short-form videos in spreading radical ideologies. They also worked on crafting relatable, values-based messages tailored specifically for social media platforms, emphasizing the importance of local context and emotional resonance. Faith, identity, and cultural narratives were highlighted as effective tools for storytelling in the promotion of peace and resilience. Youth-led breakout teams designed mock digital campaigns—some using humor and satire, others drawing from empathy and survivor testimonies—all aimed at countering extremist propaganda with authenticity, creativity, and cultural relevance.
What’s Next? Key Outcomes and Commitments
Participants didn’t just leave inspired—they left equipped. The workshop concluded with seven key strategic recommendations to guide future PCVE communication efforts across Nigeria:
- Mainstream media literacy into schools and youth hubs
- Expand platforms for youth to express dissent peacefully
- Challenge extremist ideologies with fact, faith, and real-life stories
- Support youth-led digital activism through training and funding
- Create stronger reporting mechanisms for harmful online content
- Use creative formats—spoken word, music, and comics—to tell peace stories
- Make communications central, not peripheral, to PCVE programming
As digital threats evolve, so must our response. The workshop affirmed one thing: Youth are not just part of the solution—they are the solution. With the right tools, trust, and platforms, they can lead a new era of storytelling that inspires peace, rejects violence, and connects communities.
“The narratives we put out matter. They shape futures. If we don’t tell our stories, someone else will—and we might not like the version they write.”
The PAVE Network and GCERF’s continued commitment to youth-led peacebuilding is more than a strategy—it’s a statement: that the voices of young Nigerians are not only valid but vital in the national conversation against violent extremism.