By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Kaduna State is teaching its frontline workers a new way to serve: treat the person, not just the problem.
Carefronting Nigeria, through the SPRiNG programme, on Tuesday ended a 2-day Trauma-Informed Approach training in Kaduna. The goal is to make government institutions more humane for women, girls and other vulnerable residents who seek help.
The training gathered 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.
Participants were taken through six modules: understanding how trauma affects people, identifying trauma responses, applying trauma-informed principles, creating safe environments, preventing re-traumatization, and building self-care and resilience.
Ms. Tessy Gusim, Senior Programme Manager, Carefronting Nigeria, said institutions can no longer afford to ignore the emotional burden citizens carry.
“Trauma is not limited to war zones — it permeates our communities, institutions, and daily interactions,” Gusim said. “A survivor who walks into a police station or ministry is not just bringing a complaint. They are bringing their pain. Our response must not deepen it.”
She said the SPRiNG programme is building “trauma literacy” across MDAs by changing how staff communicate, how offices are run, and how services are delivered.
Organizers noted that trauma touches security, justice, health and social welfare. So the training deliberately mixed participants.
An NSCDC officer did group work with a court mediator. A ministry official brainstormed with a CSO representative and a community leader.
“The SPRiNG programme is about one coordinated government response,” Gusim said. “One that prioritizes safety, dignity and recovery.”
A Ministry of Women Affairs participant described the training as “timely,” saying most cases involve survivors who need care.
An NSCDC officer said the lessons would change operations. “We now know our approach can either give someone hope or shut them down,” he said.
Statewide Expansion Coming
Carefronting Nigeria said the Kaduna training is the first in a series under SPRiNG to institutionalize trauma-informed practices across the state.
“The SPRiNG programme and Carefronting Nigeria remain committed to expanding trauma-informed practices across Kaduna State and beyond,” the organization stated.
Experts said the initiative will improve mental health awareness, strengthen access to justice, and make social protection more compassionate — especially for women and children affected by violence and displacement.
The key takeaway for participants: replace “What is wrong with you?” with “What happened to you?” That shift, they agreed, could change how Kaduna delivers justice and care.
