Conceptualizing a Governance Reform Impact Model for Nigeria’s Peacekeeping Missions in Post-Conflict States

Nigeria’s participation in peacekeeping missions across Africa has been instrumental in promoting regional stability, yet the sustainability and effectiveness of these interventions are often constrained by governance challenges. This review conceptualizes a Governance Reform Impact Model (GRIM) for assessing and enhancing Nigeria’s peacekeeping engagements in post-conflict states. It explores the interplay between governance structures, institutional accountability, civil–military relations, and mission outcomes. The paper critically examines Nigeria’s historical and contemporary peacekeeping operations within the framework of democratic governance, transparency, and international norms. By integrating governance reform theories with conflict transformation and public policy models, this study proposes a multidimensional model that links institutional reforms to peacebuilding performance metrics such as legitimacy, inclusivity, and operational efficiency. The review further highlights policy gaps, institutional weaknesses, and strategic opportunities for reforming command structures, funding mechanisms, and oversight systems. Through comparative insights from ECOWAS and African Union missions, the model underscores the importance of governance innovations, interagency coordination, and accountability frameworks in ensuring mission success. Ultimately, this paper provides a conceptual pathway for aligning Nigeria’s peacekeeping policy with broader governance reform agendas, offering recommendations for achieving durable peace and sustainable post-conflict recovery across Africa.