By Our Correspondent
National News – The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Joseph Ochogwu, has called for the urgent adoption of Nigeria’s National Peace Policy to tackle rising insecurity.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja during a high-level expert dialogue, he stressed that peace is not optional but essential for national stability.
The event brought together stakeholders to review and push forward the long-delayed policy framework.
Ochogwu explained that Nigeria faces widespread security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, farmer-herder clashes in the North-Central, separatist tensions in the South-East, and banditry in the North-West.
According to him, these issues require a unified national response rather than isolated interventions.
He warned that without a coordinated system, efforts by government agencies and civil society risk duplication and inefficiency.
Highlighting the purpose of the proposed policy, Ochogwu said it aims to create a structured and institutionalised peacebuilding framework.
He noted that the lack of a harmonised strategy has led to wasted resources and gaps in addressing conflicts.
The policy, he added, would shift Nigeria from reactive crisis management to proactive and preventive peacebuilding.
He further emphasised that peacebuilding must be integrated across key sectors such as security, education, justice, and economic planning.
According to him, proper coordination would ensure accountability, data-driven decisions, and measurable outcomes for citizens.
He also pointed out that the updated policy reflects emerging challenges like climate change and evolving security threats.
Ochogwu urged stakeholders and political leaders to move beyond discussions and commit to implementation.
He stressed that strong political will and collaboration are critical to achieving lasting peace.
The framework is expected to be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval after stakeholder consultations.
The peace policy, first introduced in 2012, is being revised to meet current realities and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to prevent and manage conflicts effectively.
