We are proud to share the story of five impactful years of advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Nigeria through the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) Project (2021–2025).
Guided by the vision of building a peaceful and just society where all people enjoy freedom of belief, JISRA brought together international and local partners to strengthen dialogue, inclusion, and social cohesion. In Nigeria, this collective effort focused on empowering religious actors—especially women and youth—to become agents of peace, advocates for justice, and champions of unity.
As a local implementing partner, the Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA) played a central role in translating JISRA’s vision into action at the community level. Across Kaduna and Plateau States, DIWA worked closely with consortium partners, community leaders, women, and youth to address discrimination, counter extremism, and strengthen interfaith relationships.
Through structured training, dialogue platforms, advocacy engagements, and media outreach, DIWA supported religious leaders and community influencers to promote tolerance, resolve conflicts peacefully, and engage authorities on FoRB-sensitive policies.
Impact at a Glance (2021–2025)
Over the five-year implementation period, DIWA reached 3,990 participants with FoRB and peacebuilding interventions. Key engagement highlights include:
- 60 religious leaders trained through Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes
- 360 participants engaged through step-down trainings
- 143 participants involved in dialogue sessions
- 570 participants reached through town hall meetings
- 160 religious leaders trained under inter-religious pathways
- 197 participants engaged in structured interfaith dialogues
- Over 500 participants supported through Participatory Grant Making (PGM) initiatives
- Media outreach reaching over 16 million listeners across Kaduna, Plateau, and surrounding states
- Radio programmes directly reaching over 2,000 people with FoRB and human rights messages
These engagements reflect the depth, scale, and inclusivity of JISRA’s community-driven approach.
Our Footprint Across Communities
The JISRA Project was implemented in ten Local Government Areas and twenty-five communities across Kaduna and Plateau States. DIWA directly supported activities in five LGAs and eleven communities, including Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Kajuru, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos—transforming these locations into hubs of dialogue, collaboration, and grassroots peacebuilding.
Transforming Lives Through Action
Over five years, JISRA interventions inspired remarkable community transformations.
Building Unity in Kasuwan Magani
In Kajuru LGA, Christian youths supported Muslim residents by clearing the Eid prayer ground ahead of Sallah. This simple act symbolized reconciliation, trust, and renewed interfaith solidarity in a community once affected by conflict.
From Division to Unity in Idon Hanya
Through facilitated dialogue, religious leaders and community members united to establish a centralized Islamic school, bringing children from different sects together and fostering long-term cohesion and mutual respect.
Faith Leaders United Against Drug Abuse
In Unguwan Mai Samari, Muslim and Christian leaders jointly addressed youth substance abuse through awareness campaigns, mentorship, and community engagement—demonstrating faith-driven collaboration for social transformation.
Advancing Women and Youth Leadership
A defining feature of JISRA’s impact has been the empowerment of women and youth. Through leadership training, advocacy platforms, and summits, women and young people gained confidence, skills, and visibility in community decision-making.
A historic milestone was achieved in Doruwan Babuje with the appointment and turbaning of Mallama Fatima Abdullahi Sani Bayya as the first Jakadiyan Mata—integrating women into traditional governance and reinforcing JISRA’s commitment to inclusion and equality.
Strengthening Systems for Sustainable Peace
Beyond individual activities, DIWA facilitated the establishment and strengthening of interfaith peace networks, advocacy platforms, and early warning mechanisms. Media engagement further amplified JISRA’s message, transforming radio and digital platforms into tools for peacebuilding and public education.
Closing a Chapter, Sustaining a Legacy
In 2025, JISRA was officially concluded through state-level and national closeout events. DIWA marked the closeout with a special recognition ceremony on the 16th, honoring key staff for their dedication and contributions—not only to JISRA but also to DIWA’s broader mission.
These moments celebrated achievements, consolidated lessons learned, and ensured strategic handovers to stakeholders, reinforcing the sustainability of FoRB and peacebuilding efforts beyond the project lifecycle.
Looking Ahead
Five years of JISRA implementation have shown that when communities are empowered, dialogue is nurtured, and partnerships are strengthened, lasting peace becomes possible. From grassroots reconciliation to national advocacy, JISRA has amplified voices, bridged divides, and laid strong foundations for inclusive and peaceful coexistence.
We remain deeply grateful to our partners, donors, community leaders, and beneficiaries who made this journey possible. Together, we have amplified FoRB, strengthened institutions, and advanced dignity, freedom, and peace in Nigeria.