NIGERIA NEEDS BIGGER INVESTMENT IN PEACEBUILDING, IPCR DG SAYS

The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, has called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to increase investment in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, saying the country must devote more resources to maintaining peace if it wants to achieve sustainable development.

Ochogwu stressed that peace should be treated as an important national investment rather than an issue that receives attention only after conflicts have already escalated. He noted that addressing the causes of violence early would help reduce the human and economic costs associated with insecurity, displacement and destruction of property.

The IPCR boss also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and communities in preventing conflicts. According to him, effective peacebuilding requires stakeholders to work together, identify emerging tensions and develop solutions before disagreements turn into violence.

He further called for greater attention to dialogue, mediation and other non-violent approaches to resolving disputes across the country. Ochogwu maintained that security measures alone cannot permanently address Nigeria’s conflicts, stressing that efforts to promote social cohesion, justice, inclusion and economic opportunities must complement security operations.

The Director-General urged policymakers to provide adequate funding and institutional support for peacebuilding initiatives, noting that investing in prevention would ultimately be less costly than responding to full-blown conflicts. He said a stronger culture of peace would create a more stable environment for economic growth, development and improved living conditions for Nigerians.