The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has officially welcomed a fresh group of peace practitioners into its National Peace Academy, marking a significant step in Nigeria's efforts to address deepening insecurity and social tensions through structured peacebuilding.
Strengthening Nigeria's Mediation Capacity
During the induction ceremony held in Abuja on 20 November 2025, the Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, emphasized that this development represents a crucial part of the Institute's mandate to equip citizens with practical skills for conflict prevention, dialogue facilitation, and community-level mediation.
Dr. Ochogwu stressed that Nigeria's current security challenges require deliberate investment in structured peace practice rather than relying on temporary solutions. He noted that trained mediators remain essential in countering misinformation, rebuilding broken relationships, and promoting inclusive engagement within volatile communities.
Professional Standards in Peace Work
The IPCR Director-General cautioned the newly inducted Peace Workforce members against spreading divisive narratives, emphasizing that peacebuilding demands objectivity, patience, and evidence-based approaches. He warned that Nigeria's fragile social environment could worsen when conflict responders become channels for sensational or unverified claims.
"We cannot allow sentiments and unverified claims to drive conversations around national issues," Ochogwu stated. "Those being inducted today must understand that peace work requires discipline, emotional intelligence and a commitment to truth."
He highlighted the growing need for trained mediators in conflict hotspots across Nigeria, noting that IPCR continues to receive numerous requests for:
- Community intervention
- Peace education programs
- Early-warning system support
Endorsement from Peacebuilding Veteran
Former IPCR Director-General, Prof. Oshita Oshita, praised the Institute for maintaining the training pipeline, describing the National Peace Academy as one of Nigeria's most strategic peace infrastructures.
He urged the new inductees to take their roles seriously, characterizing mediation as "a calling that demands consistency, humility and a willingness to listen." Prof. Oshita added that peace agents must be guided by ethics, noting that poorly managed mediation efforts can escalate rather than resolve tensions.
The inductees, who came from diverse backgrounds including civil society, traditional institutions, and youth groups, completed comprehensive training modules covering:
- Conflict analysis
- Negotiation techniques
- Early-warning systems
- Community reconciliation methods
Participants described the program as timely, given the increasing number of local disputes across Nigeria. IPCR confirmed it will continue to strengthen the Peace Workforce as part of ongoing efforts to support national stability and complement government-led security initiatives.
