Security and policy experts have warned that ethnic stereotyping and profiling could worsen insecurity in Nigeria and undermine the country’s stability. This is as they advocated that citizens should be identified as Nigerians not by their tribal or religious roots.
These were part of the issues thrown up during a two-day conference held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, where stakeholders called for urgent reforms in how security issues are framed and communicated.
The talk-shop brought together policymakers, security professionals, civil society groups, media practitioners and members of the diplomatic community. The discussions, which spanned six sessions, examined the roots of identity-based violence, the legal implications of terminology, and the role of the media in shaping conflict narratives.
Participants said the use of broad or misleading labels, particularly those that associate entire ethnic or religious groups with criminal activity, has contributed to deepening mistrust, distorting policy responses and fuelling conflict across communities.
They warned that such narratives, when amplified by political actors, security agencies and the media, can inflame tensions and complicate efforts to address insecurity effectively.
In one of the panel sessions, Aliyu Gebi who heads the department of peacebuilding, negotiation and mediation at Operation Safe Corridor, said Nigerians should be identified primarily by their nationality rather than ethnic or religious affiliation.
“One of our greatest challenges is defining who we are and building a shared national identity,” he said, noting that Nigeria is still evolving as a nation and faces the challenge of building a shared identity.
On his part, Atta Barkindo of The Kukah Centre said some religious leaders have contributed to the spread of divisive narratives through sermons and public commentary.
According to him, “In this country, there’s an assumption that once you’re a religious leader, you’re a good person. I don’t think that is true.
“There are religious leaders, Christians and Muslims, expressing very extremist and exclusionary views. They may not engage in violence, but they are actually inciting, and you can see that all over social media.”
As part of efforts to address concerns raised, experts at the conference unveiled two policy tools — an anti-ethnic stereotyping and profiling toolkit, and a national policy brief — designed to guide the use of non-stigmatising and operationally effective language in security and public communication.
