Cross River State is one of Nigeria’s most ethnically diverse states — home to more than forty distinct ethnic groups. For most, that diversity is a source of cultural pride. In Boki Local Government Area, however, it had become a source of low-grade, persistent tension between six neighbouring communities competing for the same forest resources, the same market access routes, and influence over the same local government allocation.
No single flashpoint incident had occurred. But ENPUAI’s Early Warning Network flagged a pattern of micro-aggressions, market exclusions, and social media narratives that, if left unaddressed, would eventually produce violence. Prevention, not response — that is ENPUAI’s preferred mode of working.
In May 2024, ENPUAI convened a five-day Multi-Community Peace Forum attended by representatives from all six communities: Boki, Mbube, Ukelle, Yala, Ekajuk, and Bekwarra. Participants came as equals — no LGA officials, no politicians, no police. Just community members, facilitated by ENPUAI’s certified team.
The first two days were devoted entirely to sharing — stories, histories, grievances, fears. By day three, the communities were discovering how much they had in common: the same experiences of being underserved by government, the same environmental pressures from illegal logging, the same desire to see their young people have a future in the local area.
The forum produced a Cross-Community Cooperation Agreement covering joint forest management, a shared market access calendar, and a six-community early warning committee with equal representation. Representatives from all six communities signed it and have met monthly since.
“We had been told that our problem with the other communities was ancient and unsolvable. It took ENPUAI five days to prove that wrong.” — Chief Okon Bassey, Boki Community, Cross River State