Executive Summary
The Deradicalization of Radicalized Minds (DRM) project was a pioneering pilot intervention designed to address religious extremism and radicalization among men, women, and youths in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Implemented over a 12-month period from April 2017 to March 2018, the project sought to deconstruct extremist ideologies while simultaneously empowering beneficiaries with entrepreneurial skills and resources for self-reliance.
The project was born out of the recognition that violent extremism in Nigeria, particularly in conflict-affected areas like Jos, is often fueled by a combination of ideological indoctrination, economic deprivation, and social marginalization. Traditional security-focused approaches to countering extremism have proven insufficient without addressing these underlying drivers.
Project Background and Rationale
Jos North has experienced recurring cycles of ethno-religious violence since the early 2000s, creating an environment conducive to radicalization. Young people, facing limited economic opportunities and deep-seated grievances, have proven particularly vulnerable to extremist narratives that offer both ideological purpose and material benefits.
CCAPAD's extensive grassroots work in Jos North revealed a critical gap in existing interventions: while many programs focused on preventing radicalization, few addressed the needs of individuals already radicalized or those at high risk. The DRM project was designed to fill this gap through a holistic approach combining ideological deradicalization, skills training, and economic empowerment.
Project Objectives
The DRM project aimed to achieve the following objectives:
- To deconstruct religious extremist ideologies among identified beneficiaries
- To provide entrepreneurial skills training for economic self-reliance
- To empower beneficiaries with startup resources and tools
- To build resilience against recruitment into criminal and extremist activities
- To create a replicable model for deradicalization interventions
- To facilitate reintegration of beneficiaries into their communities
Beneficiary Selection Process
The selection of beneficiaries was conducted through a rigorous, community-based process to ensure the project reached those most in need:
Identification Criteria
- Individuals identified by community leaders as holding extremist views
- Youth at high risk of recruitment into extremist groups
- Former participants in violent conflicts seeking rehabilitation
- Economically marginalized individuals vulnerable to radicalization
- Willingness to participate in the full programme duration
Community Engagement
CCAPAD worked closely with Community Development Associations (CDAs), religious leaders, and traditional authorities to identify and vet potential beneficiaries. This community-led approach ensured local ownership and increased the likelihood of successful reintegration.
Project Implementation
Phase 1: Ideological Deradicalization (Months 1-3)
The first phase focused on deconstructing extremist narratives through:
- Weekly dialogue sessions with religious scholars from both Christian and Muslim backgrounds
- Critical examination of religious texts and their interpretations
- Exposure to alternative, moderate religious perspectives
- Trauma healing and psychosocial support
- Building critical thinking skills to resist manipulation
Phase 2: Skills Acquisition Training (Months 4-6)
Beneficiaries received intensive training in various entrepreneurial skills based on their interests and market demand:
- Tailoring and fashion design
- Welding and metalwork
- Carpentry and furniture making
- Phone and computer repairs
- Hairdressing and beauty services
- Small-scale agriculture and poultry farming
Phase 3: Business Development and Empowerment (Months 7-9)
This phase equipped beneficiaries with business management skills:
- Basic business planning and management
- Financial literacy and record keeping
- Customer service and marketing
- Savings and investment strategies
- Development of individual business plans
Phase 4: Startup Support and Mentorship (Months 10-12)
The final phase provided practical support for business establishment:
- Provision of startup tools and equipment
- Small seed capital grants
- Ongoing mentorship and technical support
- Linkages to markets and customers
- Formation of peer support groups
The Mentorship Component
A unique feature of the DRM project was its mentorship model. Each of the 15 direct beneficiaries was required to mentor two additional individuals from their communities, creating a multiplier effect. This approach:
- Extended the project's reach to 30 additional beneficiaries
- Reinforced learning through teaching
- Built leadership skills among direct beneficiaries
- Strengthened community bonds and social cohesion
- Created sustainable peer support networks
Key Achievements
Ideological Transformation
Post-project assessments revealed significant shifts in beneficiaries' worldviews:
- 87% of beneficiaries demonstrated rejection of extremist ideologies
- Increased appreciation for religious diversity and tolerance
- Development of critical thinking skills to resist manipulation
- Improved understanding of authentic religious teachings
Economic Empowerment
- All 15 direct beneficiaries established functional businesses
- Average monthly income increased from ₦0 to ₦25,000-₦40,000
- 23 out of 30 mentees also started small businesses
- Reduced dependency on handouts and criminal activities
Social Reintegration
- Beneficiaries successfully reintegrated into their communities
- Improved relationships with family and neighbors
- Active participation in community development activities
- Some beneficiaries became peace ambassadors in their areas
Success Stories
"Before this programme, I was angry at the world and believed violence was the only way to get justice. Through the dialogue sessions, I learned that my religion actually teaches peace and tolerance. The tailoring skills I gained have given me a new purpose. I now employ two apprentices and support my family."
— Male beneficiary, age 28
"As a widow with three children, I was desperate and vulnerable to any group that promised help. This project didn't just give me skills; it gave me hope. My hairdressing business is thriving, and I'm teaching other women in my community."
— Female beneficiary, age 35
"I used to think people from other religions were my enemies. Working alongside them in training and seeing them struggle with the same challenges changed my perspective. We're all just trying to survive and provide for our families."
— Male beneficiary, age 24
Challenges Encountered
- Initial resistance from some beneficiaries to ideological discussions
- Stigma from communities toward individuals with extremist backgrounds
- Limited funding restricting the number of beneficiaries
- Difficulty in measuring long-term ideological change
- Market saturation in some skill areas affecting business viability
- Security concerns in accessing certain communities
- Balancing confidentiality with community transparency
Lessons Learned
- Deradicalization requires addressing both ideological and economic factors
- Community involvement is crucial for successful reintegration
- Skills training alone is insufficient without startup capital and mentorship
- Religious leaders play a critical role in countering extremist narratives
- Peer mentorship creates sustainable support systems
- Patience and long-term engagement are essential for lasting change
- Gender-sensitive approaches are needed to reach women effectively
Recommendations for Scale-Up
- Extend project duration to 18-24 months for deeper impact
- Increase funding to reach more beneficiaries
- Develop specialized programmes for women and youth
- Strengthen partnerships with religious institutions
- Create alumni networks for ongoing support
- Integrate trauma healing more comprehensively
- Establish monitoring systems to track long-term outcomes
- Replicate the model in other conflict-affected areas
- Engage government agencies for policy integration
Sustainability and Long-term Impact
The DRM project was designed with sustainability at its core. By empowering beneficiaries with income-generating skills and establishing peer support networks, the project created conditions for lasting change beyond the intervention period.
Follow-up assessments conducted six months after project completion showed that:
- 13 out of 15 direct beneficiaries maintained their businesses
- No beneficiaries had returned to extremist activities
- Several beneficiaries had become community peace advocates
- The mentorship networks continued to function
- Families and communities reported positive behavioral changes
Conclusion
The DRM project demonstrated that deradicalization is possible when interventions address the full spectrum of factors driving extremism. By combining ideological deradicalization with economic empowerment and community reintegration, the project created pathways for individuals to exit extremism and build productive lives.
While implemented on a pilot scale, the project's success provides a blueprint for larger-scale interventions. The model's emphasis on community ownership, holistic support, and sustainable livelihoods offers valuable lessons for countering violent extremism in Nigeria and beyond.
As CCAPAD continues its peacebuilding work, the DRM project stands as evidence that even the most radicalized individuals can transform when given the right support, opportunities, and hope for a better future.