Experts Seek Urgent Adoption Of Nigeria Peace Framework
Stakeholders Call for Coordinated Peace Strategy
THE Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), alongside key stakeholders and development partners, has intensified calls for the urgent adoption of Nigeria’s proposed National Peace Policy as insecurity continues to challenge communities across the country.
The demand was made during the Second High-Level Expert Dialogue on the draft policy in Abuja, where participants argued that Nigeria requires a more structured and unified framework to manage conflict, prevent violence, and strengthen national cohesion.
Officials said persistent violence, insurgency, kidnapping, communal clashes, and separatist tensions show the limits of isolated responses and ad hoc interventions.
IPCR Warns Against Fragmented Responses
Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, said Nigeria stands at a critical moment and can no longer rely on disconnected security responses.
According to him, the country lacks a coherent national framework capable of harmonising the efforts of federal agencies, state institutions, civil society groups, and international partners working in peacebuilding.
He warned that the current system often leads to duplication of efforts, waste of resources, and communities being left without adequate support.
What the Policy Seeks to Achieve
Stakeholders explained that the proposed National Peace Policy is designed to shift Nigeria from reactive crisis management to preventive and evidence-based peacebuilding.
The framework would reportedly integrate peace considerations into major sectors such as justice, education, security, youth development, and economic planning.
Analysts say such an approach could improve early warning systems, conflict mediation, and coordination among institutions.
Growing Threat Landscape
Nigeria has faced multiple layers of insecurity in recent years, including Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, farmer-herder clashes in the North-Central, kidnapping in the North-West, oil-related unrest in the Niger Delta, and separatist agitations in parts of the South-East.
Experts at the dialogue said these overlapping threats require policy coherence rather than scattered interventions.
Political Will Seen as Key Test
Participants stressed that policy design alone would not solve insecurity unless backed by political commitment and effective implementation.
Ochogwu urged government actors to move beyond consultations and ensure the framework is presented for executive approval and activated nationwide.
Outlook
Security analysts note that if adopted and properly funded, the National Peace Policy could become an important institutional tool for reducing violence and strengthening social stability.
However, they caution that Nigeria’s long history of well-written but weakly implemented policies remains the major challenge.
