By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Kaduna State has started training its frontline officials to respond to trauma first, and procedure second, in a bid to make government more humane for vulnerable residents.
Carefronting Nigeria, under the SPRiNG programme, concluded a 2-day Trauma-Informed Approach training in Kaduna on Tuesday. The training targeted the institutions citizens turn to in crisis — security, justice, and social services.
Participants included the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, the Kaduna State Multi-Door Court House, the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth Development, Civil Society Organizations, and community and traditional leaders.
SPRiNG is focused on strengthening systems that support women, girls and other vulnerable populations.
“Healing Should Start at the Counter”
Facilitators took participants through six modules: understanding trauma’s impact, recognizing trauma responses, applying trauma-informed principles, creating safe spaces, preventing re-traumatization, and building self-care and resilience.
Ms. Tessy Gusim, Senior Programme Manager, Carefronting Nigeria, said the training aims to shift how MDAs see the people they serve.
“Trauma is not limited to war zones — it permeates our communities, institutions, and daily interactions,” Gusim said. “When someone comes to a government office for help, they may already be hurting. Our job is to help them recover, not add to their pain.”
She said SPRiNG wants to build “trauma literacy” across government — in communication, office environments, and service delivery.
Breaking Silos to Address One Problem
Organizers said trauma cuts across security, justice, health and social welfare, so the training mixed participants from different sectors.
An NSCDC officer worked with a court mediator. A ministry official did case studies with a CSO advocate and a community leader.
“The SPRiNG programme is promoting one government, one response,” Gusim said. “A response built on safety, dignity and recovery.”
A Ministry of Women Affairs participant called the training “timely and critical,” noting most of their cases involve survivors who need care.
An NSCDC officer said it would change how personnel handle victims. “We learned that how we speak to someone in distress determines if they trust us or withdraw,” he said.
Rollout to Continue Across Kaduna
Carefronting Nigeria said this Kaduna session is the first in a series under SPRiNG to embed trauma-informed practices statewide.
“The SPRiNG programme and Carefronting Nigeria remain committed to expanding trauma-informed practices across Kaduna State and beyond,” the organization stated.
Experts believe the initiative will improve mental health awareness, strengthen access to justice, and make social protection more compassionate — particularly for women and children affected by violence and displacement.
For participants, the message was clear: change the question from “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” That shift, they said, is the foundation of healing-centered governance.
