Global Peace Development (GPD) has launched its Five-Year Strategic Plan (2026–2030), outlining an expanded agenda to advance peacebuilding, inclusive governance, social justice and sustainable development across Nigeria and beyond.
The plan was formally unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja at an event attended by civil society leaders, development partners and government representatives, including officials of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, the Institute commended GPD for its sustained contributions to peacebuilding, gender equality, child protection and inclusive governance. Ochogwu, who was represented by Dr. Mang Chaimang, a director at IPCR, described the new strategic plan as a timely and well-structured roadmap informed by more than two decades of practical experience in addressing peace and development challenges in Nigeria.
He noted that civil society organisations such as GPD play a critical role in complementing government efforts, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected areas, adding that the plan provides a solid framework for collaboration among government institutions, development partners and civil society actors working towards sustainable peace.
Speaking after the launch, the Board Chairman of GPD, Chief Ejiro Oghenebrume, said the five-year plan goes beyond a policy document, describing it as a renewed commitment to justice, good governance and lasting peace. He said the organisation is repositioning itself from largely local interventions to a broader global outlook.
Oghenebrume stressed that peacebuilding is a continuous process and cautioned that unresolved ethnic, religious and political tensions could threaten national stability if not adequately addressed. He also called for policy reforms that promote inclusion based on residency rather than ethnicity or religion, emphasising that sustainable peace requires constant engagement, education and vigilance.
On funding, he disclosed that women and young people remain central to the organisation’s priorities, noting that community-level peace begins with stable families and empowered children. He said GPD projects a budget of about ₦1.8 billion for 2026 to support the phased implementation of the strategic plan.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of GPD, Mr. Ebruke Esike, said the new plan expands the organisation’s focus from five to eight thematic pillars. These include peace and conflict resolution, gender justice, democracy and governance, environment and climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene, livelihood development, education, and the protection of women and children from gender-based violence.
Esike explained that the strategy adopts non-kinetic approaches such as community dialogue, education, economic empowerment and legal advocacy to enhance security and social cohesion. He added that GPD projects an operational budget of ₦1.2 billion for 2026, to be funded largely through competitive grants and strategic partnerships.
According to him, GPD currently operates in several states across the South-South, South-East, North-Central and North-West regions, with plans to expand to the North-East and South-West. He noted that the organisation has been engaged in farmer-herder conflict mediation, women-led peace initiatives, environmental sustainability projects and civic education programmes.
Esike acknowledged challenges including insecurity, poverty and low literacy levels, but said the organisation continues to work closely with government authorities, security agencies and local peace institutions to ensure effective and safe programme delivery.
The event concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to deepen partnerships aimed at promoting peace, social justice and sustainable development in Nigeria.
