By Bavoriat Clara
The Honourable Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, has urged the international community to prioritise dialogue and consultation as effective instruments for resolving conflicts and sustaining global peace.
He made the call while delivering the keynote lecture at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which brought together defence leaders, diplomats, policymakers and academics from more than 100 countries.
In a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mati Ali, the Minister emphasised that dialogue succeeds where confrontation fails, noting that inclusive engagement and constructive consultation remain essential for lasting security.
He added that Nigeria’s experiences demonstrate that even the most complex crises can be resolved when dialogue is paired with legitimacy, reintegration and sustained commitment.
The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in ECOWAS interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, its contributions to the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram, as well as domestic initiatives such as the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme and Operation Safe Corridor. These, he explained, reflect Nigeria’s consistent approach of using dialogue, negotiation and reintegration to strengthen peace and stability.
The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, held from September 17–19, 2025, featured four plenary sessions, eight parallel sessions and high-level dialogues, drawing more than 1,800 delegates from across the world. With the theme “Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development,” the forum has become one of the leading platforms for inclusive global security dialogue, especially at a time when geopolitical competition and regional conflicts demand fresh approaches beyond traditional military solutions. Nigeria’s participation, therefore, underscores its strategic role as a regional leader and an advocate of cooperative security.
Badaru also linked his remarks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that Nigeria’s pursuit of strategic autonomy, proactive diplomacy and internal reforms are aligned with its regional and global contributions to peace and development.
He explained that the government’s emphasis on both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, combining robust military capacity with negotiation, reintegration and socio-political solutions, reflects Nigeria’s evolving security doctrine under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nigeria’s advocacy for dialogue and consultation is strengthened by its track record in peace operations and conflict resolution, but challenges remain. While the country continues to demonstrate leadership in regional diplomacy and multilateral security frameworks, persistent domestic insecurity and resource constraints present obstacles that must be addressed to reinforce its credibility. Nevertheless, forums such as Xiangshan provide Nigeria with opportunities to consolidate partnerships, promote African perspectives on global security governance, and advance cooperative solutions in line with its strategic interests.
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The Minister therefore, called on international partners to embrace dialogue, consultation and collaboration as shared responsibilities in upholding international order and promoting peaceful coexistence. He stressed that replacing zero-sum rivalries with cooperative security approaches is the surest path to achieving stability, development and lasting peace.
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