The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, on Tuesday called for immediate and collective action to address rising global and domestic conflicts, warning that the time for delayed responses to peacebuilding challenges is over.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to mark both the 2025 International Day of Peace and the 25th anniversary of the IPCR, Ochogwu stated that the theme of this year’s observance, ‘Act Now for a Peaceful World,’ reflects the urgency of addressing peace and security issues at all levels.
“The imperative to ‘act now’ reflects the reality that peace cannot be deferred, delegated, or delayed. It requires immediate, sustained, and coordinated action from individuals, institutions, and nations.
“Today, as we witness conflicts across the globe and challenges to social cohesion within our communities, this theme serves as both a reminder and a unifying call to action,” Ochogwu said.
The IPCR, established in 2000 under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is marking its silver jubilee with a week-long set of activities, including a mental health and sports clinic, interfaith prayers, and a peace walk.
According to the DG, these events are designed to reflect the complex, interconnected dimensions of peacebuilding today.
Ochogwu outlined the IPCR’s work over the last 25 years, noting that the Institute has trained “thousands of peace practitioners, mediators, and conflict resolution specialists,” and intervened in a range of conflict scenarios, including electoral violence, communal disputes, and insurgency-related crises.
“Our early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms have helped prevent the escalation of numerous potential conflicts, saving countless lives and preserving community harmony,” he said.
“The past 25 years have demonstrated that sustainable peace is possible when we act with determination, wisdom, and unity.
“The next 25 years will test our resolve, but I am confident that together, we can build the peaceful world that our children and future generations deserve,” the DG added.
He also pointed to the IPCR’s policy contributions through its research publications, including conflict assessment reports and policy briefs that have “informed government decision-making and international peace-building strategies.”
Addressing the broader context, Ochogwu highlighted the escalation of conflict worldwide and ongoing domestic issues in Nigeria, including insurgency, banditry, and ethnic tensions.
“In Nigeria, we face persistent challenges, including communal conflicts, insurgency, banditry, electoral violence, and ethnic and religious tensions.
“These challenges require innovative approaches, sustained commitment, and coordinated action from all sectors of society,” he said.
The DG called on government bodies, civil society, the media, and traditional institutions to take more responsibility for peace initiatives, saying:
“Government at all levels must prioritise conflict prevention, invest in peace-building infrastructure, and ensure that development policies are conflict-sensitive and inclusive.”
He also urged multilateral institutions to resist growing global pushback against international cooperation, saying they must “more than ever before in human history uphold the tenets and principles of multilateralism in an emerging global space which seeks to weaken multilateral actions and collective security for human existence.”
He asked the media to adopt “conflict-sensitive reporting” and promote narratives that support reconciliation, rather than deepen divisions.
As part of the anniversary and peace day activities, the IPCR will hold interfaith prayer sessions on September 19 and 21, and a peace walk and commemorative lecture on September 22. A “Sport for Peace & Mental Health Clinic” is also planned, combining physical activity with trauma support.
“These gatherings embody the principle that, while we may worship differently, our aspiration for peace unites us across religious boundaries,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Ochogwu reiterated the Institute’s call for action, warning that peace cannot be assumed or postponed.
“Let us act now, not tomorrow, not next year, but today, for a peaceful world. The time for peace is always now,” he said.
He acknowledged support from the Federal Government, including President Bola Tinubu and Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tugga, for “providing the enabling environment” for the IPCR’s work.
In his remarks, the National Director for Education, Youth and Women Development at the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ozumba Nicodemus, congratulated the Institute on its 25th anniversary, commending its role in advancing peace over the years.
He said, “We will continue to collaborate with the Institute to ensure that peace is promoted everywhere.”
Despite peace efforts, Nigeria continues to grapple with deep-rooted and evolving security challenges. From insurgency in the North-East to banditry in the North-West and farmer-herder conflicts in the Middle Belt, violence remains a daily reality for many communities.
According to the National Human Rights Commission, at least 2,266 people were killed in the first half of 2025, more than double the 1,083 deaths recorded in the same period last year, and surpassing the total number of deaths in 2024.
One of the deadliest recent attacks occurred on August 19, when armed bandits stormed a mosque in Unguwan Mantau, Katsina State, killing at least 50 worshippers during dawn prayers.
The Middle Belt continues to experience recurrent ethno-religious clashes, while the South-East faces growing agitation from separatist movements. The Northwest and Central regions remain flashpoints for rural violence, fueled by land disputes, climate change, and resource scarcity.
