Building Theological Foundations for Peacebuilding Training in Nigerian Church Leadership

Nigerian church leaders in conflict-affected regions are frequently called upon to engage in peacebuilding activities without adequate theological formation or practical training. This study develops a theologically grounded peacebuilding training curriculum for church leaders in Nigeria's conflict-affected zones, particularly the North Central, North East, and North West geopolitical zones. A professional training development design was adopted, drawing on participatory action research with 40 church leaders from Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Borno, and Taraba States in a series of four co-design workshops. The theological foundations of the curriculum are drawn from a contextualised reading of biblical shalom theology, the reconciliation theology of John de Gruchy, and the restorative justice framework of Howard Zehr, adapted for the Nigerian ethno-religious conflict context. The curriculum addresses six thematic areas: biblical theology of reconciliation and shalom, conflict analysis and peacebuilding theory, trauma-sensitive pastoral engagement, interfaith peacebuilding practice, community reintegration processes, and advocacy for structural peace. Each theme integrates theological reflection with practical skill building. Expert review by peacebuilding organisations including the Christian Peacemaker Teams and the Interfaith Mediation Centre Kaduna confirmed the curriculum's contextual relevance and professional quality. The study recommends adoption by the Christian Association of Nigeria as the foundation for its National Peace and Reconciliation Ministry.

Keywords: peacebuilding training, church leadership, theological foundations, Nigeria conflict zones, reconciliation