Stakeholders seek end to ethnic profiling in security discourse

By: Zagazola Makama

Security stakeholders have called for the elimination of ethnic profiling in conflict narratives and security operations across West Africa, warning that imprecise language fuels violence and undermines national stability.

Across Nigeria’s conflict-prone regions, words have become as consequential as weapons.
From the North-West to the North-Central, the language used in describing violence, often framed along ethnic or communal lines has increasingly come under scrutiny, with experts warning that such narratives risk deepening divisions and prolonging conflicts.

It was against this backdrop that Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited and Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research, with support from the UKAid-funded Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) project, convened a high-level virtual dialogue to rethink how security conversations are framed in West Africa.

The forum, held on Feb. 10, brought together voices from across the military, academia, civil society and local communities to interrogate a critical question: can better language lead to better security outcomes?

Opening the session, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, Team Leader of the SPRiNG project, highlighted findings from recent studies linking hate speech and divisive narratives to the persistence of violence in Nigeria.

He warned that poorly framed terminology especially those that generalise criminal behaviour along ethnic lines can undermine peacebuilding efforts and even trigger further conflict. “Conflict sensitivity is key,” he noted, stressing that language, if not carefully deployed, can cause interventions to “boomerang.” For many participants, this concern is not theoretical. In communities affected by banditry and communal clashes, labels have often blurred the line between perpetrators and innocent civilians.

Dr. Fatima Akilu of the Neem Foundation argued that identity-based labels are rarely neutral, noting that they often flatten complex realities and reinforce marginalisation.

According to her, branding entire groups based on the actions of a few not only fuels resentment but also complicates reconciliation efforts. This position was echoed by Amb. Sarki Usman, who warned that ethnic profiling is not only socially harmful but also strategically counterproductive.

By alienating communities, he said, such narratives weaken trust and reduce the flow of actionable intelligence to security agencies.

From a military perspective, the implications are profound. Retired Maj.-Gen. E.G. Ode called for a shift in operational thinking that integrates cultural awareness and accountability into frontline engagements.

He noted that modern counterinsurgency requires not just firepower but also an understanding of the social environment in which operations are conducted.

Similarly, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd) urged the media to adopt more responsible reporting practices, emphasising the need to focus on criminal acts rather than ethnic identities.

Mr. George Ilyua’a, a community leader from the North-Central, stressed that behaviour-based terminology is essential to protect innocent civilians from being wrongly targeted or stigmatised.

He noted that restoring trust between communities and security agencies depends largely on how conflicts are described and understood.

The dialogue, which attracted about 70 participants, concluded with a consensus on the need for a more precise and conflict-sensitive vocabulary in security operations and public discourse.

Organisers said the insights generated would feed into a broader initiative, including a physical conference scheduled for April 1 and April 2 in Abuja.

The event is expected to produce a policy brief and a practical toolkit aimed at guiding language use across defence, law enforcement, judicial institutions, the media and educational sectors.

According to the conveners, these tools will serve as a foundation for reshaping narratives in ways that enhance human intelligence (HUMINT), reduce tensions and support long-term peacebuilding.

In a joint statement, Dr. Kabir Adamu of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited and Brig.-Gen. Saleh Bala (Rtd) of Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research called on all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at neutralising ethnic profiling in security discourse.

Stakeholders seek end to ethnic profiling in security discourse

UNAIDS Warns Senegal’s New Anti-LGBTQ Law Threatens HIV Response

By: Michael Mike

UNAIDS has raised serious concern over Senegal’s new law imposing harsher penalties for same-sex relations and promoting LGBTQ rights, warning it could reverse years of public health progress.

The bill, passed by Parliament on 12 March, criminalizes “unnatural acts” and penalizes anyone who encourages or promotes homosexuality. While the law includes a public health exemption for authorized health organizations, UNAIDS cautioned that fear of prosecution could drive vulnerable populations away from vital HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services.

Senegal has long been a regional leader in HIV response. Today, 79% of people living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy, a milestone that has saved thousands of lives. Yet new infections rose by 36% between 2010 and 2024, making Senegal one of only four countries in West and Central Africa with increasing cases. UNAIDS warned that criminalizing LGBTQ people risks worsening this trend by increasing stigma and creating barriers to care.

The agency urged President Macky Sall and authorities to fully implement the public health exemptions, provide legal clarity for health workers, protect patient confidentiality, and ensure community organizations can continue offering lifesaving services without fear of prosecution. UNAIDS also called for the maintenance of international funding and partnerships to sustain essential programs.

“Criminalization threatens both human rights and public health,” UNAIDS said, stressing that ending AIDS requires reaching everyone, especially those most at risk. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with Senegal to protect access to HIV services and prevent setbacks in the fight against AIDS.

UNAIDS Warns Senegal’s New Anti-LGBTQ Law Threatens HIV Response

NSIA, UK’s Asset Green to Launch $496 Million Dairy Mega-Project in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with UK-based Asset Green Ltd to develop a US$496 million integrated dairy livestock production and processing platform, a project set to modernize Nigeria’s dairy sector, boost food security, and create thousands of jobs.

The MoU, signed in London ahead of the State Visit, laid out the framework for collaboration and project development, paving the way for a formal shareholders’ agreement.

The initiative, one of the largest integrated dairy investments ever undertaken in Nigeria, will combine 20,000 hectares of climate-smart, regenerative crop and forage production with a 10,000-milking-cow dairy operation and a state-of-the-art processing plant capable of producing fresh milk, milk powders, butter, cream, and up to 15,000 metric tonnes of infant formula annually.

Designed to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported milk powder, the platform will integrate up to 10,000 rural households into the supply chain through inclusive out-grower schemes and is projected to generate over US$620 million annually, while creating approximately 2,500 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs nationwide.

British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter praised the partnership, noting, “Over a decade ago, the UK provided pivotal support to Nigeria in establishing the NSIA, offering legal and financial expertise that helped lay the foundation for its successful launch and strengthening its governance and credibility. That early institutional investment has paid dividends, helping to build a resilient Nigerian institution capable of creating jobs and driving transformational, long-term development.

“The NSIA and Asset Green partnership is a powerful example of how that groundwork continues to deliver impact—a full-circle moment that reflects the long-term economic cooperation between the UK and Nigeria and the shared commitment to deepening sustainable, private-sector-driven growth.”

NSIA Managing Director & CEO Aminu Umar-Sadiq described the project as transformative, saying, “NSIA is pleased to partner with Asset Green on this transformative investment. With a project size of almost US$500 million, this is one of the most ambitious initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s food and nutrition security in a generation. By combining climate-smart farming, advanced processing capacity, and inclusive out-grower participation, we are laying the foundation for a modern, competitive dairy sector that reduces import dependence, creates meaningful jobs, and delivers long-term value for Nigerians.”

Asset Green Ltd Director and Agrium Capital Ltd CEO Rod Bassett emphasized the strategic importance of the investment, noting, “This partnership between NSIA and Asset Green is the business and investment innovation required to unlock the potential of the agriculture sector in Nigeria, with the development of such a future (dairy) food system. The foundation of the approach is one of collaborating with NSIA and their shared vision and purpose to establish a platform to catalyse the development of such a national strategic priority. We are incredibly proud to partner with Nigeria’s premier investment institution. The development of greenfield projects have consistently played a major role in our history, establishing industries or nurturing young businesses that are able to deliver catalytic transformation. This US$500 million greenfield investment in Nigeria’s dairy industry allows for the development of advanced and necessary infrastructure spanning the full production and supply system to enhance local production, reduce the reliance on the huge imports of dairy goods into Nigeria, deliver environmental services, and strengthen national food sovereignty and nutritional resilience.”

The partnership signals a major milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural modernization, leveraging private-sector investment, inclusive farming practices, and advanced processing to create a resilient, competitive dairy industry while strengthening national food and nutrition security.

NSIA, UK’s Asset Green to Launch $496 Million Dairy Mega-Project in Nigeria