Youths in Peacebuilding: Paths towards reintegration for repentant extremists

As part of the broader country study, the aim of this paper is to highlight the involvement of children and the youth in armed conflict in Nigeria. This will include their association with these armed forces or armed groups, with particular emphasis being placed on the roles they play or played. In addition, the paper studies the gender dimension of these roles. Many of these youths, over time, leave these armed forces/ groups voluntarily or forcefully. The paper therefore assesses their paths towards reintegration into civil communities, how these young people have been used for peacebuilding, and establishes ways in which their roles can be strengthened.