The West Africa Action Network on Small Arms and Proliferation, WAANSA, has launched a nationwide advocacy campaign aimed at strengthening efforts to address insecurity, arms proliferation and threats to peace in Nigeria and across West Africa.
Speaking at an event marking the 2026 International Day of Peace, WAANSA first Vice President, Martin Igwe, said the campaign would focus on border security, climate-related insecurity and gun violence, particularly on university campuses.
Igwe said the initiative would be implemented in partnership with the African Peace Constituency, civil society organisations, the National Constituency for Patriotic and Democratic Services, as well as other national and international partners.
He explained that the programme would feature training and capacity-building workshops to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to respond to emerging security challenges.
He also announced plans for an intervention to complement government efforts in implementing national and regional strategies aimed at reducing violence.
Expressing concern over insecurity in the region, especially ahead of Nigeria’s general elections, Idje stressed the importance of collective action to safeguard peace and democratic stability.
He called for support from national and international organisations, maintaining that sustained investment in peace was necessary for strengthening democracy and promoting sustainable development.
Traditional Ruler Seeks Better Coordination of Peacebuilding Efforts
A traditional ruler, His Royal Highness of Leslie Bukka Ayedo, has called for stronger coordination among government institutions, traditional authorities, civil society organisations and security agencies to improve peacebuilding efforts in Nigeria.
The monarch, who represented his father, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Yahaya Abubakar of Nupe Kingdom, made the call at an event commemorating the International Day of Peace.
He described peace as a critical foundation for national development and peaceful coexistence, stressing that maintaining it requires deliberate contributions from all sectors of society.
The traditional ruler expressed concern that despite the activities of several organisations promoting peace, inadequate coordination had weakened Nigeria’s peace architecture.
He therefore called for the formal inclusion of traditional institutions in the country’s peacebuilding framework, noting that traditional rulers often intervene at the community level to prevent disputes from escalating into crises.
According to him, peace actors should avoid rivalry and instead coordinate their efforts towards achieving common objectives.
He urged government agencies, civil society organisations, diplomatic missions, security agencies, students and other stakeholders to assess their contributions to peacebuilding, stressing that actions at the community and classroom levels can have wider national and global consequences.
The monarch also reaffirmed his father’s support for WAANSA and other initiatives promoting peace and stability across Nigeria and Africa.
NCWS President Advocates Greater Investment in Peace
The National President of the National Council of Women Societies, NCWS Nigeria, Princess Ellen Adidi Azura, has called for sustained investment in peace and greater inclusion of women in efforts to build a secure, united and democratic Nigeria.
Azura made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 United Nations International Day of Peace Conference organised by the West African Action Network on Small Arms, WANSA Nigeria.
She said the theme, “Investing in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” underscored the shared responsibility of governments, institutions, communities and individuals in promoting peace.
The NCWS President highlighted the role of women in advancing peace, national unity, democratic participation and social development, particularly at the family and community levels.
She noted that peace goes beyond the absence of war, encompassing justice, inclusion, dialogue, human dignity, equality and security.
Azura said the International Day of Peace offers an opportunity for individuals and institutions to promote non-violence, peaceful coexistence and dialogue while working towards societies where human dignity is protected.
She added that, as National President of NCWS and Coordinator-General of the International Council of Women, she was expected to disseminate the organisation’s official 2026 global peace message to women and grassroots communities.
The NCWS President urged Nigerians to move beyond commemorating the International Day of Peace and take practical steps to build peaceful and inclusive communities.
She stressed that investment in peace remains essential to sustainable development, democracy, prosperity and national unity.