The Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has taken steps to promote peace among Nigerian citizens in preparation for the 2027 general elections. As an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IPCR recently organised an event to sensitise the public to reject violent behaviour in politicians' quest for power. The goal is to discourage the destructive mentality of "grab power at all costs," which threatens the country's overall peace and stability.
The event, themed "Invest in Peace for Everyone Everywhere Every Day," aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to build momentum towards peace. The agenda focuses on enhancing peace through infrastructure, human capital development, and investment in critical sectors of the economy. A broad spectrum of major local and international organisations attended the event in Abuja to celebrate the International Day of Peace.
The Director General of IPCR, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, led discussions on fostering peace at the 2026 International Day of Peace Commemoration lecture in Abuja on September 21. He emphasised that the world must reflect on the cost of violence and recommit to the ideals of peace. According to Dr Ochogwu, the commemoration is not merely ceremonial but a call to sober reflection and practical action.
Dr Ochogwu noted that the theme "Invest in Peace for Everyone Everywhere Every Day" is both timely and profound, correcting a common misconception that peace is a destination or a seasonal intervention. Instead, he said peace is a continuous investment – a daily commitment that must touch every citizen, community, and institution. This global call resonates with Nigeria's current realities, particularly with the 2027 General Elections approaching.
The IPCR boss introduced a sub-theme titled "Renewed Hope Agenda: Investing in Peace for Democratic Stability – Everyday Pathways to Justice and Inclusion Ahead of Nigeria's 2027 General Elections." He stressed that investing deliberately in peace has never been more urgent, as democratic stability is built on everyday practices of justice, fairness, inclusion, dialogue, and respect for the rule of law.
The Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration provides a national framework that places people at the centre of governance, with emphasis on economic reform, inclusion, and strengthening democratic governance. These are considered peace investments. IPCR has intensified engagements around election-related conflict prevention, using Early Warning and Early Response systems, dialogues with political actors, and policy briefs on electoral violence mitigation.
The event attracted groups such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Yobe State Government, who made concerted efforts to give peace a chance in Nigeria's body politic. Key stakeholders' involvement demonstrates a collective commitment to promoting peace and stability in the country. The IPCR's efforts aim to ensure that peace becomes a core issue in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
Key points
- IPCR promotes peace ahead of 2027 general elections
- The event aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda
- Dr Joseph Ochogwu emphasises peace as a continuous investment
