IPCR Urges National Assembly to Strengthen Peace Laws as Nigeria Faces Security Challenges

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution has called on the National Assembly to strengthen legislation promoting social cohesion and conflict-sensitive governance as Nigeria continues to face complex security and social challenges.

The Director-General of the IPCR, Joseph Ochogwu, made the call in Abuja on Wednesday during a media briefing ahead of the 2026 International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21.

Ochogwu also urged the Federal and state governments to make peace-building a priority in budgetary allocations and policy development, while calling on security agencies to deepen non-kinetic and community-centred approaches to conflict management.

The 2026 International Day of Peace will be observed under the theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” The United Nations says the theme highlights the need to treat peace as an active and sustained process rather than simply the absence of war.

Ochogwu said the annual observance provides an opportunity for Nigerians and the international community to reflect on the need to make peace a deliberate and sustained investment.

“The International Day of Peace is in September; we celebrate this annually. It gives us an opportunity to amplify and advocate for peace, not only within Nigeria, but across Africa and globally,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria was dealing with interconnected challenges, including violent extremism, farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, communal tensions, youth restiveness, competition over resources linked to climate pressures, misinformation, disinformation and economic difficulties.

According to Ochogwu, peace is fundamental to the country’s development because insecurity can undermine food security, education, healthcare and investment.

“Peace is our most critical infrastructure. Without peace, we cannot have food security. Without peace, we cannot have quality education. Without peace, we cannot have good health care,” he said.

The IPCR director-general also identified grassroots governance as an important component of conflict prevention and resolution.

He said stronger local government institutions could bring governance closer to citizens, improve the response to grievances and contribute to preventing conflicts from escalating.

“The local government system is the front line of any government in conflict management, conflict prevention and conflict resolution,” Ochogwu said, adding that the system had been weak over the years.

He commended the Federal Government’s efforts towards local government autonomy and urged state governors and other sub-national actors to strengthen the capacity of local governments to perform their constitutional responsibilities.

Ochogwu further highlighted youth engagement, skills acquisition and investment in the digital economy as measures that could provide young Nigerians with alternatives to crime and extremism.

He called for sustained investment in early-warning and early-response systems, dialogue platforms, community mediation centres, youth engagement hubs, traditional institutions and psychosocial support.

The IPCR boss also urged different sectors of society to take responsibility for peace-building.

He called on the National Assembly to strengthen legislation supporting social cohesion and conflict-sensitive governance, while urging security agencies to expand non-kinetic and community-centred approaches.

He also appealed to the private sector to view investment in peace as part of protecting the business environment, while traditional and religious leaders were encouraged to promote tolerance.

Civil society organisations, women and youth groups, he said, should support non-violence and inclusion, while the media should promote peace journalism and conflict-sensitive reporting.

“Peace is too important to be left alone in the hands of government,” Ochogwu said.

He urged Nigerians to make peace a daily responsibility, saying: “Together, we can build a Nigeria where peace is not an event, but a way of life.”

The IPCR said activities planned for the 2026 International Day of Peace will include commemorative prayers at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, a peace walk and a national peace lecture.

The lecture is expected to focus on the theme, “Renewed Hope Agenda, Investing in Peace for Democratic Stability: Pathways to Justice and Inclusion Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections.”

The programme will conclude with a football match at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.

Ochogwu said the IPCR was implementing its 2024–2028 strategy, anchored on knowledge, people and partnerships, to strengthen Nigeria’s peace infrastructure.

He added that the institute had trained more than 86 young Nigerians, including corps members and interns, as future peace-builders and was working with stakeholders to promote peace education in schools.

The institute is also strengthening its zonal and state peace-building offices and investing in community resilience through its conflict early-warning and early-response platform.

The United Nations says the 2026 International Day of Peace will focus on the role of “everyday architects of peace” and emphasise action at community level, alongside investment in development, dialogue, inclusion and human dignity.