BY PATRICIA TAFT AND NATE HAKEN

In the last decade, social networks and information technology have developed in such a way as to contribute to the proliferation of both spontaneous and coordinated political violence in Nigeria. However, at the same time, a robust network of peace actors has emerged to prevent and manage election violence. Over the past several years, the Fund for Peace (FFP), supported by a grant from the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), has researched the history of election violence in Nigeria
and examining the power of networks in both the perpetration and prevention of violence, with a focus on the role of youth. The findings of this research are contained in the Handbook below, as well as a guidance note for how tools such as GIS platforms and SNA can be utilized by peace actors for effective programming in the prevention and mitigation of youth violence during elections.

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