Vivian Saleh Kpakol Series 3: Trauma-Informed Governance in Nigeria and the Reparation of Victims’ Dignity
In my last two articles, I have written extensively on victimization, public policy, and the restoration of human dignity, emphasizing the need for policies that not only deliver legal redress but also address the psychological and social harm experienced by victims. Despite these efforts, it has become increasingly clear that more awareness is needed, and that the voices of affected individuals must be amplified — particularly those of kidnapping victims, whose numbers have escalated sharply in Nigeria in recent years. This essay argues that without trauma-informed governance, efforts to restore victims’ dignity remain incomplete. It explores how Nigerian institutions can integrate trauma-informed practices to provide holistic support and draws on comparative lessons from other countries to highlight best practices and feasible interventions.
