The African Institute for Justices of the Peace (AIJP) has called for a stronger national commitment to peacebuilding, justice, dialogue and conflict prevention, stressing that sustainable peace requires deliberate and continuous investment beyond conventional security measures.
The call was made during the Institute’s commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Peace, held on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Easy-Prevarsity Building, Opposite The Polytechnic, Ibadan. The programme was held in line with the theme, “Investing in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” with the keynote presentation titled: “We Keep Investing in Security — When Will Nigeria Invest in Peace?”
The keynote address emphasised that while security investment remains important, sustainable peace requires a broader approach involving justice, dialogue, mediation, early-warning systems, peace education, youth empowerment, social cohesion, responsible leadership and trusted institutions. The programme also highlighted the human and social costs of insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping and attacks on communities and educational institutions, stressing the need for stronger preventive mechanisms.
OTHER SPEAKERS CONTRIBUTE
The lecture and interactive session were moderated by Dr. Amb. Tayo Adegunji, Registrar, Ecolerite Institute for Peace Advancement, who also lent his voice to discussions on peacebuilding, justice, dialogue and conflict prevention.
Pastor Joshua Olukayode Olagoke, Institute Director of Finance, AIJP, contributed to the programme, particularly on AIJP membership, emphasising the responsibilities attached to membership and the need to translate professional affiliation into meaningful service and action for peace and justice.
The Registrar of the Institute, Ogunnaike Oluseyi Taiwo, a lawyer, Peace scholar and two-time award recipient at the Washington College of Law’s Human Rights Essay Award, though absent due to another engagement, contributed to the discussion, emphasising that sustainable security requires investment in positive peace. He called for greater attention to justice, dialogue, mediation, early warning and responsive institutions that address grievances before they escalate into conflict.
The programme further emphasised that peacebuilding is a collective responsibility involving government, security and justice institutions, communities, educational institutions, civil society, professional organisations, religious bodies and individuals.
The African Institute for Justices of the Peace (AIJP) reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, justice, mediation, conflict prevention, responsible leadership and community development, while calling for greater investment in mechanisms that prevent conflicts before they escalate.
The event concluded with a collective call to move beyond merely speaking about peace and embrace practical actions that promote justice, dialogue, understanding and peaceful coexistence:
“LET US MOVE BEYOND SPEAKING ABOUT PEACE — LET US BECOME ACTIVE BUILDERS OF PEACE.”
NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE • MORE JUSTICE, MORE PEACE
African Institute for Justices of the Peace (AIJP)
For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.
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