It’s easy to become numb to headlines.
“Another attack in Plateau.”
“Farmer-Herder Clashes.”
“Communal Violence.”

But these words do not capture the raw truth — they do not scream loud enough about the reality on the ground.

What is happening in parts of Plateau State, particularly Riyom Local Government Area, is not just a clash — it is a genocide.

Nigeria is currently ranked as the third most dangerous country behind Afghanistan and Iraq in the Global Terrorism Index due largely to terrorist related activities, particularly in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. As of January 2024, Genocide Watch reported that between 2009 and late 2023, the Boko Haram terror group was responsible for the death of over 40,000 civilians, including indirect deaths, which may total about 350,000 more than ISIS killed in Iraq and Syria combined. This has led to a large-scale displacement of families, sexual assault of women and children, which has severely impacted Nigeria’s local, state, and national socioeconomic fabric.

The phenomenon of village abandonment in Nigeria, particularly over the last two decades, has evolved from a localised concern into a national humanitarian crisis with far-reaching implications. In the heart of Nigeria, where rich cultures and communities once thrived, many villages now lie forgotten and scarred by conflict, sociopolitical realignments and forced displacement. In the middle belt region, states like Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and parts of Kaduna, which are homes to vibrant farming communities, have become ghost towns as residents flee escalating violence often without warning.

The rise in attacks by armed herdsmen has led to a mass exodus to ancestral homes; communities like Guma and Agatu local governments in Benue state have been repeatedly attacked, forcing survivors to seek refuge in overcrowded camps or urban areas. Sadly, the lack of swift and sustained government intervention has only deepened the crisis, making resettlement efforts nearly impossible. 

PSJ UK is an organisation dedicated to mobilising Nigerians in both the UK and Nigeria to have a unified and cohesive voice in addressing key Peace and Social Justice issues. Our mission includes advocating for security, justice, human rights, and active civic participation. You will be encouraging Nigerians (particularly young Nigerians) to engage in shaping their nation’s future for sustainable progress.

Role Overview

As a Local Government Coordinator in Nigeria, you will be the main point of contact for your designated local government area and will be instrumental in establishing and leading a team of local volunteers to drive civic engagement and strengthen grassroots advocacy efforts within your locality.

You will be responsible for recruiting, engaging, and coordinating this volunteer team. You will build relationships with local groups and stakeholders, organise community-based initiatives, and ensure that PSJ UK’s advocacy aligns with the needs and priorities of the people on the ground. Regular reporting on local activities and leveraging the support of the wider PSJ UK team will be crucial to your success.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Team Building and Management

• Identify and recruit cause-passionate volunteers within your local government area who are committed to PSJ UK’s nation-building mission.

• Develop and implement processes for effectively onboarding, training, and engaging your volunteer team.

• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to volunteers, ensuring clear communication and providing ongoing support.

• Motivate and inspire your volunteer team to actively participate in local initiatives and advocacy efforts.

Community Engagement and Mobilisation

• Identify, establish, and maintain strong relationships with community & civic leaders, youth groups, faith-based organisations, and civil society actors within your local government area.

• Organise and coordinate local engagement activities such as town hall meetings (offline or online), awareness campaigns, and community discussions on relevant subject matters, often with the support of your volunteer team.

• Act as a liaison between PSJ UK and local communities, facilitating dialogue and retrieving accurate grassroots information/data on pressing issues, and ensuring your volunteer team is also involved in this process.

• Promote civic education and encourage local participation in civic responsibilities and public decision-making, working closely with your volunteer team to maximise reach.

• Collaborate with the PSJ UK central team to align local initiatives with broader advocacy strategies and provide regular updates on your area’s activities and progress.

Digital & Media Engagement

• Use social media and digital tools to amplify civic awareness and mobilisation efforts, involving your volunteer team in content creation and dissemination where appropriate.

• Gather insights and feedback from communities to inform PSJ UK’s policy advocacy and program development, leveraging your volunteer team to collect on-the-ground information safely.

Reporting and Coordination

• Provide regular reports to the PSJ UK central team on the activities, challenges, and successes within your local government area, using the provided template and including the contributions of your volunteer team.

• Actively participate in broader PSJ UK team meetings and initiatives, leveraging the collective knowledge and resources of the wider movement to support your local efforts.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong passion for advocacy, governance, and social justice in Nigeria.

• Experience in community engagement, mobilisation, or grassroots organising (preferred).

• Experience in volunteer management or team leadership is highly desirable.

• Excellent communication, networking, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire others.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative in coordinating local activities and managing a volunteer team both in-person or remotely.

• Familiarity with key issues affecting Nigeria and Nigerians, including governance, human rights, and civic participation.

• Comfort with digital tools and social media for outreach and engagement.

• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and report effectively.

Benefits of Volunteering

• Play a significant role in strengthening civic engagement and social justice in Nigeria by leading a team of dedicated volunteers.

• Gain valuable experience in community coordination, grassroots advocacy, and volunteer management.

• Develop further leadership, organisational, and public engagement skills.

• Be part of a growing network of changemakers working towards positive impact, both within your local government area and across the broader PSJ UK network.

• Have the opportunity to shape local initiatives and contribute to the overall success of PSJ UK's mission.

Our Commitment & Support

This is a voluntary role designed for individuals passionate about civic action, governance, and justice in Nigeria. While it is unpaid, all reasonable expenses incurred in the course of your duties will be reimbursed (e.g., local transport, communication, or data for reporting).

In addition, a small stipend may be available to support Local Government Coordinators in specific contexts, particularly where additional responsibilities or extended coordination efforts are required. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the PSJ UK team.

In the dense vegetation of Nigeria’s Sambisa Forest, foreign fighters move silently alongside local insurgents, their expertise honed in conflict zones from Libya to Mali. This transnational dimension of terrorism represents one of the most pressing yet least understood aspects of Nigeria’s security crisis. As states and businesses count mounting losses from the insurgency and investors hesitate to commit to our northern regions, understanding the role of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) becomes not just a security imperative but an economic one.

If there is a single thread running through the fabric of modern African political experience, it is woven from the persistent fibres of unhealthy ethnic rivalry and the relentless pursuit of personal wealth by political elites. The twin maladies have stunted national unity; they have also left legacies of squandered opportunities and fractured societies.

This phenomenon is evident in most African nations, and particularly in Nigeria, a country whose promise has too often been undermined by the very leaders entrusted with its future. The consequences are societies organised not for collective advancement but for the benefit of a privileged few who have mastered the art of ethnic manipulation.

Where freedoms so fundamental as belief are under attack, we often find other basic human rights compromised.

Across the world, many people are suffering obscene and difficult things simply because of their religion or faith.

Freedom of belief is an issue that is close to my heart. In Parliament, I have the privilege of being an officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief – but the privilege is often heavy and profound.

In 2023, I represented our all-party group at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Taiwan. The IRF Summit is the biggest annual religious freedom gathering in the world, and we heard harrowing reports of persecution, torture and killings.

At PSJ UK, we firmly believe that spiritual support plays a pivotal role in overcoming the challenges faced by those we serve. Our advocacy is not just seen through actions on the ground but also through prayerful intercession for justice, healing, and peace for individuals and communities affected by injustice and conflict.

At PSJ UK, we are committed to supporting families whose lives have been upended by acts of injustice and violence. We are limited by funds in what we can do and who we can support but we do our limited best as resources permit.

In the wake of a devastating attack that shattered they lives and stability of one such family, we stepped in to provide sustained, practical assistance following the religiously motivated mob-murder of a young student —not just in the immediate aftermath, but as part of a long-term commitment to help the family rebuild their lives.

At PSJ UK, we are unwavering in our commitment to defending religious freedom, human rights, and justice for victims of injustice. Just as we stood in advocacy for Deborah Samuel, we are now actively working to ensure clemency and justice for Sunday Jackson, another victim of wrongful prosecution.

Advocacy is only as strong as the information that drives it. Misinformation, misrepresentation, and neglect of key issues often distort the realities faced by vulnerable communities. That’s why our research and writers' team is committed to producing incisive articles, in-depth reports, and thought-provoking op-eds that place critical issues in their proper context.

At PSJ UK, we believe that real change starts at the grassroots level. That’s why we’ve launched our State-Watch initiative, a proactive monitoring system focused on key hotspot states in Nigeria. Through this initiative, we are closely tracking developments in regions most affected by insecurity, conflict, and social unrest, ensuring that the voices of vulnerable communities are heard.

In February 2020, PSJ UK’s advocacy efforts played a pivotal role in securing a major milestone in international engagement on Nigeria’s security and stability. Through our persistent interventions, advocacy, and strategic connections, we directly influenced the UK government’s decision to convene a Wilton Park conference—a high-level policy discussion platform under the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

At PSJ UK, we believe that resilience begins with knowledge. In collaboration with the Overseas Fellowship of Nigerian Christians (OFNC), we have been actively working to equip vulnerable communities (including targeted Christian communities) in northern Nigeria with the skills and strategies needed to respond to security threats and safeguard their futures.

At PSJ UK, we recognise the immense power of collective action. Over the past year, we have been actively mobilising critical UK-based sector communities of Nigerians in the diaspora into cohesive blocs—leveraging their influence, expertise, and networks to drive meaningful change.

Are you skilled in public relations, media outreach, or content writing? Do you want to use your expertise to advocate for justice and raise awareness of critical issues? PSJ UK is looking for committed volunteers to join our Media & PR Team, helping us amplify our message and secure media coverage for our work.

About the Role

As a Media & PR Team Member, you will play a vital role in shaping the public narrative around our advocacy efforts, engaging with journalists, and ensuring our message reaches the right audiences. Your work will help raise awareness, mobilise support, and drive action for peace and justice.

Key Responsibilities

📢 Public Relations & Media Outreach – Engaging with media outlets, securing press coverage, and managing relationships with journalists.
✍🏽 Content Writing & Journalism – Crafting compelling press releases, articles, blog posts, and op-eds that highlight our initiatives.
📡 Media Strategy – Developing and implementing strategies to increase our visibility across various media platforms.
📰 Monitoring & Reporting – Tracking media mentions, analysing coverage impact, and identifying new opportunities for engagement.

What You’ll Gain

✔ Hands-on experience in public relations and media advocacy within the non-profit sector.
✔ Opportunities to build connections with journalists, media professionals, and policymakers.
✔ The chance to contribute to a meaningful cause by shaping narratives that inspire action.
✔ A platform to showcase your skills and gain recognition for your work.

Who Can Apply?

This role is ideal for:
✅ PR professionals, journalists, and communications specialists.
✅ Writers passionate about human rights, social justice, and international affairs.
✅ Students or graduates in media, journalism, or related fields looking to gain experience.
✅ Anyone with a strong ability to craft persuasive messages and engage the media.

At PSJ UK, our commitment to justice and security extends beyond humanitarian aid—we work tirelessly to amplify the voices of affected communities at the highest levels of government. Through regular advocacy meetings with government ministers, parliamentarians, and shadow ministers, we ensure that the challenges facing persecuted and displaced communities in Nigeria remain firmly on the agenda of policymakers.