Every conflict gives signs before it erupts and that with the right tools, knowledge, and partnerships, we can act early to prevent violence and save lives. The Conflict Prevention, Early Warning and Early Response programme is rooted in this belief. It focuses on building strong community-based systems that can detect the signs of tension or crisis before they escalate. Through this, WANEP-Nigeria works to create a reliable Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) mechanism that not only monitors conflict triggers but also mobilizes timely, coordinated action across Nigeria.
This system is part of a broader vision that connects local efforts to regional and continental frameworks. As a partner to ECOWAS and the African Union, WANEP-Nigeria feeds community-level information into the wider ECOWAS Early Warning System, ensuring that regional bodies have real-time insight into Nigeria’s conflict dynamics, early warning is only as good as the response that follows. We provide training for conflict monitors, analysts, and early warning trainers, equipping them with the tools to understand and address rising tensions whether they stem from political, ethnic, religious, environmental, or economic sources.
In addition to conflict prevention, we also support disaster risk reduction by working closely with relevant national and intergovernmental bodies. Whether it’s human-made violence or natural disasters like flooding or drought, we promote a proactive, data-driven approach to mitigate risks and prepare communities for crisis situations. Through this programme, WANEP-Nigeria regularly shares early warning reports, policy briefs, and strategic recommendations with government officials, humanitarian actors, and peacebuilders. These insights guide informed decision-making and help direct resources where they are most needed.
Over time, our work has evolved into what is now known as the National Early Warning System (NEWS) a localized, home-grown model inspired by regional partnerships but tailored to Nigeria’s unique realities. It bridges the gap between information and action, between warning signs and lifesaving interventions.