The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has partnered with Idimuwem Peace and Governance Initiative (IPGI) and other organizations to launch a nationwide peace-building competition designed to engage children and young people in conflict resolution and social inclusion.
The initiative, Peace Creatives Competition Nigeria 2025, was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday as part of activities marking the International Day of Peace. With the theme “Unity and Prosperity in Diversity”, the competition encourages participants to express peace-building concepts through dialogue, mediation, art, music, dance, and performance in English, Pidgin, and local languages.
Convener of the competition, Uduak-Abasi Akpabio, said the platform was designed to teach peace as a practical life skill. “Peace cannot simply be wished into existence. Like swimming, reading, or any life skill, peace must be taught, nurtured, and practiced,” she said.
Now in its fourth edition, the competition has been expanded to two categories—ages 16–20 and 21–25—and will run through IPCR’s six regional offices to reach communities nationwide.
IPCR Director General, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, represented by Dr. Caleb Ayuba, described the project as part of efforts to engage young people, who he said are often both victims and drivers of conflict. He stressed its alignment with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security, as well as President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The initiative drew international commendations. Iiris Aliska of the Embassy of Finland hailed the program for promoting peace through respect and kindness, while Chinese Embassy Counsellor Hairo Dong reaffirmed China’s support for Nigeria’s peace and development agenda.
Director General of the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), Chris Ngwodo, also praised the effort, describing young people as society’s “most creative elements” and urging them to embrace their role as agents of peaceful transformation.
