IPCR urges National Assembly to strengthen peace legislation

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has urged the National Assembly to enhance legislation that fosters social cohesion and conflict-sensitive governance, as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria's escalating security and social issues. The IPCR's Director-General, Joseph Ochogwu, made this call during a media briefing in Abuja, marking the 2026 International Day of Peace.

Ochogwu emphasized the importance of prioritizing peace-building in budgetary allocations and policy design, as well as encouraging security forces to adopt non-kinetic and community-focused approaches to conflict resolution. He highlighted the annual International Day of Peace, observed on September 21, as an opportunity to reinforce collective efforts towards promoting peace both nationally and globally.

Ochogwu stressed that peace should be viewed as a deliberate, sustained investment rather than merely the absence of war, citing interconnected challenges such as violent extremism, farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, communal tensions, youth restiveness, climate-induced resource competition, misinformation, disinformation, and economic pressures as threats to peace in Nigeria.

He called on various stakeholders, including the National Assembly, security agencies, private sector, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, women and youth groups, and the media, to play their roles in preventing and resolving conflicts. Ochogwu also commended the Federal Government's efforts in promoting local government autonomy, stressing that stronger grassroots institutions would enhance the country's peace-building efforts.