Nigerian university students have undertaken an educational study tour to the United Nations Office in Nigeria, gaining firsthand exposure to global diplomacy, peacebuilding and youth engagement.
The participants were fourth-year students from the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Baze University, Abuja, taking courses in United Nations and World Affairs and International Economic Relations. The delegation was led by Associate Professor Christian Tsaro Dii, Study Tour Coordinator Dr Khalifa Mohammed mni, and Student Affairs Officer Musa Yelwa. They arrived at the UN headquarters at 10:00 a.m. for a full-day session designed to link academic learning with practical international experience.
On arrival, the students were received by UN officials and taken through a structured programme that opened with documentaries on the First and Second World Wars, including the rise of Adolf Hitler. These historical narratives provided important context for broader discussions on global peace and security.
A key highlight of the tour was a detailed briefing on the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Agenda, a UN initiative that places young people at the centre of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Officials also outlined ongoing UN interventions in Nigeria, including pilot projects in Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna states.
The students took part in an interactive session with the UN Information Integrity Officer, who discussed cybersecurity, cybercrime and the dangers posed by misinformation. The session emphasised the importance of credible information in a digital environment where false narratives can escalate tensions and undermine peace efforts.
Throughout the visit, students engaged with UN personnel, asked questions on global governance , peace negotiations and examined the role of young people in promoting security within their communities.
The tour deepened their understanding of international relations while offering practical insight into how the UN operates on peace and security matters. It also reinforced the significance of the YPS Agenda, information integrity and the lessons global conflicts hold for contemporary peacebuilding.
Students described the experience as enriching and timely, particularly as Nigeria explores more youth-led approaches to strengthening national cohesion.
The Department of International Relations and Diplomacy noted that such engagements allow Nigerian students to appreciate how global policies are implemented locally and encourage them to contribute meaningfully to peace and development initiatives.
