Women in armed conflict: Assessing the role of women in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction in North Central Nigeria: A study of the FCT, Kaduna and Plateau states

Abstract Armed conflict in North Central Nigeria has generated profound humanitarian, socio-economic, and political consequences, disproportionately affecting women while simultaneously positioning them as indispensable actors in peacebuilding. Despite global commitments under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, women’s participation in formal peace processes in Nigeria remains limited. This study empirically examines women’s roles in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction across conflict-affected communities in North Central Nigeria. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 420 women across three states, complemented by 15 Key Informant Interviews and six Focus Group Discussions. Statistical analysis (chi-square, correlation, and regression) reveals a significant positive relationship between women’s inclusion and perceived sustainability of peace initiatives (p < .05). Findings demonstrate that women are highly active in informal mediation, reconciliation, humanitarian support, and livelihood restoration but remain structurally marginalised from formal decision-making mechanisms. Cultural norms, institutional exclusion, inadequate funding, and weak implementation of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security constitute primary barriers. The study concludes that institutionalising women’s participation beyond symbolic representation is critical to sustainable peacebuilding. The study contributes to feminist peace scholarship by providing empirically grounded evidence from North Central Nigeria and bridging the gap between global policy frameworks and grassroots realities. Key Words: Armed Conflict; Peacebuilding; Post-Conflict Reconstruction; Gender Inclusion; North Central Nigeria About the Authors *Eserinune McCarty Mojaye, Ph.D., was, at the time of this study, a Professor of Mass Communication and the Director of the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies of the National Open University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. His major areas of research interest are Journalism, Communication for Development, Mass Media Studies, Theory Building & Research Development. **Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko, Ph.D., was, at the time of this study, a Principal Research Fellow at the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies of the National Open University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. She is a seasoned researcher with years of broad-based experience in the fields of Conflict Resolution, Conflict Management, Security, Mediation, Peacebuilding, and Gender. ***Kayode Sunday Odedina, Ph.D., was, at the time of this study, a Research Fellow at the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies of the National Open University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. He holds Ph.D. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and B.Sc. in Information Technology. He was the Director of Open, Distance and e-Learning at National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja, Nigeria. ****Chiedozie Ifeanyichukwu Atuonwu, Ph.D., was, at the time of this study, a Senior Research Fellow at the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies of the National Open University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. He was a Senior Lecturer at the Nigerian History Unit, School of General Studies, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. Acknowledgement: This study was funded by the Senate Research Grant, 2024 Intervention, of the National Open University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. The authors thank the management of the National Open University of Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria for providing the funding which enabled this research. Disclosure: The Artificial Intelligence tool of ChatGPT was used to assist in drafting the literature review and the theoretical framework, but humans created the core contents. The tool was also used to fine-tune the manuscript, though under strict human oversight. JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, April 2026, pp. 182-194. © Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON). Article Citation Mojaye, E. M., Ajodo-Adebanjoko, A., Odedina, K. S., & Atuonwu, C. I. (2026). Women in armed conflict: Assessing the role of women in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction in North Central Nigeria: A study of the FCT, Kaduna and Plateau states. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1): 182-194. Full Article Words: 7,248 Pages: 13 To access full article, click on download.