The YEEP Alumni Nigeria has called for greater investment in peacebuilding, violence prevention, and youth participation as the world marks the International Day of Peace 2026. In a statement issued on Monday, September 21, under the theme, “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” the group reaffirmed its commitment to building a peaceful, safe and inclusive Nigeria.
According to the network, Nigeria continues to face challenges linked to violence, insecurity, intolerance, hate, misinformation, division and the exploitation of differences. The group noted that peace should not be understood simply as the absence of violence, rather creating communities where people could live with dignity, express their views without fear, resolve differences through dialogue and feel a sense of belonging.
YEEP Alumni Nigeria emphasized that investing in peace meant investing in people, relationships, communities and systems capable of preventing grievances from escalating into violence. The group further called for stronger dialogue, tolerance and respect, urging stakeholders to address exclusion, counter harmful narratives and create meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in decisions affecting their lives and communities.
The group also stressed that young people should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of peace and security but as stakeholders and actors in peacebuilding. YEEP Alumni Nigeria noted that young Nigerians across the country were already contributing to peacebuilding, community resilience, civic engagement and violence prevention, stressing the need to create more opportunities for youth leadership and meaningful participation.
YEEP Alumni Nigeria urged young Nigerians to be mindful of how their everyday actions could either reduce tensions or deepen divisions. The group advised young people to reject the normalisation of violence, hate and intolerance, verify information before sharing it, resist narratives that portray others as enemies and embrace dialogue, empathy and peaceful engagement.
The group equally called on governments at all levels to increase investment in violence prevention, youth participation, community peacebuilding, early warning and early response, inclusive governance and the protection of human rights. YEEP Alumni Nigeria remains committed to advancing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda in Nigeria and working with government, civil society, communities and other stakeholders to build a culture where peace is practiced every day.
YEEP Alumni Nigeria stated that peace is not somebody else’s responsibility, but rather everyone’s. The group added that Nigeria deserves a future where every person can live safely, freely and with dignity. The statement was made by a national network of young people committed to preventing and countering violent extremism.
Key points
- YEEP Alumni Nigeria calls for increased investment in peacebuilding and violence prevention.
- The group emphasizes the importance of youth participation in peacebuilding and decision-making processes.
- YEEP Alumni Nigeria urges governments to prioritize violence prevention and youth engagement.
