Restorative Education and Social Reintegration of Ex-Combatants Through Adult Education in North East Nigeria

This study examined restorative education processes and social reintegration outcomes among ex-combatants participating in adult education programmes within Borno and Adamawa State deradicalisation and rehabilitation centres. Adult education for ex-combatants occupies a critical but theoretically underdeveloped space at the intersection of peace education, restorative justice, and lifelong learning, particularly in the context of Nigeria's prolonged North East insurgency. The study employed a longitudinal interpretive case study design following 40 ex-combatants across three reintegration centres over an 18-month period. Data collection combined individual life narrative interviews conducted at baseline, six months, and eighteen months, facilitator reflective records, psychosocial assessment tools adapted for the conflict context, and community reintegration outcome documentation. Longitudinal analysis revealed that adult education participation generated a multi-phase restorative journey in which initial cognitive literacy gains catalysed progressive identity reconstruction, perspective-taking development, and growing readiness for community re-engagement. Ex-combatants who participated in vocational education components alongside literacy reported significantly stronger reintegration outcomes including stable employment, reduced community conflict incidents, and stronger social support networks. Trauma-informed facilitation approaches were identified as critical differentiators of successful versus unsuccessful programme engagement trajectories. The study develops an original Restorative Adult Education for Combatant Reintegration Framework, specifying the sequenced educational, psychological, and social support structures required for effective programme delivery in post-conflict Northern Nigerian contexts. Policy recommendations target the Borno and Adamawa State governments and the Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiative. Keywords: restorative education, ex-combatants, social reintegration, North East Nigeria, deradicalisation.