Security and policy stakeholders have intensified efforts to curb ethnic profiling in Nigeria’s conflict discourse, warning that the misuse of language in security operations is fuelling violence and weakening intelligence gathering across fragile regions.
A coalition of security experts, civil society leaders, academics and community representatives has called for an urgent shift in how conflict-related language is used in Nigeria and across West Africa, stressing that ethnic-based labels are exacerbating tensions and undermining national stability.
The call was made during a virtual dialogue convened by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited and The Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research, with support from the UK-funded Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria initiative.
The dialogue, held on February 10, focused on “Contextualizing Definitions and Terminologies to Address Stereotyping and Ethnic Profiling in Discourses and Security Operations in West Africa.”
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Participants examined how imprecise and ethnicity-driven descriptions, particularly in Nigeria’s North West and North Central regions, have contributed to cycles of mistrust, stigmatisation and violence.
In his opening remarks, Ukoha Ukiwo, Team Leader of the SPRING programme under the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said findings from inception studies revealed that hate speech and divisive narratives remain major drivers of conflict in Nigeria.
He warned that the use of insensitive or poorly framed language in security interventions could backfire, causing peacebuilding efforts to “boomerang” and deepen existing crises.
Experts at the forum highlighted that labels used in security communication are rarely neutral and often oversimplify complex social identities.
Fatima Akilu, Executive Director of the Neem Foundation, said such terminology can entrench marginalisation and reinforce harmful stereotypes, particularly against already vulnerable communities.
From a multi–agency perspective, Sarki Usman argued that ethnic profiling is not only socially damaging but strategically counterproductive. He noted that stigmatising entire communities can erode trust and hinder effective intelligence gathering, ultimately weakening national security outcomes.
Academic contributions also stressed the need to move beyond theoretical discussions to practical, community-driven solutions.
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Okey Okechukwu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University called for inclusive peacebuilding frameworks rooted in grassroots engagement rather than what he described as “seminar bubbles.”
Gabriel Ode, a retired Major General and Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, advocated a comprehensive overhaul of operational strategies.
He emphasized the integration of cultural awareness, accountability and context-sensitive communication into frontline security operations.
Similarly, Sani Kukasheka Usman urged media practitioners to focus reporting on criminal behaviour rather than ethnic identity, warning against the use of subtle “dog-whistle” narratives that could inflame tensions.
Providing a community-level perspective, George Iyua’a stressed that security terminology must remain behaviour-based to protect innocent civilians and rebuild public confidence in state institutions.
The two-hour virtual session drew about 70 participants, many of whom underscored the importance of precise and neutral language in strengthening human intelligence (HUMINT) capabilities and fostering cooperation between communities and security agencies.
Organisers say the event will produce a draft toolkit and policy brief aimed at eliminating stereotyping in security discourse.
