The Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD) and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration on peacebuilding, conflict prevention and transformation, research, policy advocacy, capacity development and inclusive peace initiatives across Nigeria.
The agreement brings together two institutions with complementary mandates and expertise: IPCR, a government peace and conflict research and policy institution under the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and CEPASD, a civil society organization working across peacebuilding, youth development, gender, diplomacy, human rights and climate security.
The partnership comes at a time when strengthening cooperation among government institutions, civil society, communities, researchers, and young people is increasingly important to developing sustainable approaches to conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
From Memorandum to Measurable Action
The MoU provides a framework for both institutions to move beyond cooperation at the institutional level and jointly develop practical programmes and initiatives.
Among the agreed areas of collaboration are the training of local peace actors, youth and women in peacebuilding and conflict management; joint research on conflict dynamics and prevention; development of policy briefs; policy advocacy at national and state levels; and roundtable engagements involving government, civil society and international stakeholders.
The organizations will also pursue joint funding opportunities, develop proposals addressing peace, conflict, and development challenges, and organize conferences, summits, symposiums, dialogues, seminars, roundtables, and public awareness campaigns.
A particularly significant component of the agreement is programmes, which will provide a platform for young people to participate more actively in peacebuilding and conflict-prevention efforts. The partnership also provides for nationwide and community-based peace campaigns and collaboration around relevant International Peace Days and observances.
IPCR: Partnership Must Translate Into Impact
Speaking on the partnership, the Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu said the Institute remains committed to ensuring that strategic partnerships translate into practical outcomes.
“Peacebuilding cannot be achieved by one institution acting alone. It requires collaboration, knowledge, capacity, and sustained engagement among institutions and communities. This partnership with CEPASD provides an opportunity to combine institutional expertise with practical community and youth engagement to strengthen conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.”»
Dr. Ochogwu further emphasized the importance of transforming collaborative frameworks into concrete programmes capable of responding to Nigeria’s evolving peace and security challenges.
His emphasis is consistent with IPCR’s recent approach to strategic partnerships, in which the Institute has stressed implementation, institutional capacity, and practical, impact-oriented solutions.
CEPASD: Building a New Generation of Peacebuilders
For CEPASD, the partnership represents an opportunity to deepen the connection between policy, research, and community-level peacebuilding, said Dr. Macjohn Nwaobiala, Chairman BOT
Augustine Igweshi, Executive Director of CEPASD, described the agreement as an important milestone in strengthening collaborative peacebuilding action in Nigeria.
This MoU creates a stronger bridge between institutional knowledge, policy, and community action. We are particularly excited about the opportunity to work with IPCR to strengthen the capacity of young people, women and local peace actors and to create platforms where research can inform policy and policy can translate into practical peacebuilding action.”»
He added:
For CEPASD, peacebuilding is not simply about responding to conflict after violence has occurred. It is also about investing in prevention, strengthening institutions, empowering communities, and creating meaningful opportunities for young people to become part of the solution. Through this partnership, we look forward to building programmes that can contribute to a more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Nigeria.”»
Joint Research, Policy, and Capacity Development
Under the agreement, IPCR will provide technical expertise to strengthen CEPASD’s programmes and projects, while CEPASD will have access to IPCR’s conference facilities for relevant peace and development conferences.
The two institutions will also explore jointly organized professional training programmes on peacebuilding and conflict management, alongside opportunities for joint research, policy development, advocacy, and resource mobilization.
The partnership will maintain the institutional independence of both organizations while establishing mechanisms for collaboration, communication, cooperation, and accountability in jointly implemented activities.
The MoU was signed, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Director-General, and Barr. Mabel J. Jacob, Legal Adviser for IPCR while Dr. Macjohn Nwaobiala, Board Chairman, and Augustine Igweshi, Executive Director, signed for CEPASD
The partnership builds on a broader emphasis by IPCR on strategic institutional collaboration as a means of strengthening peace, security, and development. In 2026, IPCR has announced several strategic MoUs with civil society and research institutions covering areas including peace education, youth empowerment, mediation, community resilience, research, and conflict prevention.
CEPASD and IPCR therefore look forward to translating their agreement into joint programmes, research, policy engagement, capacity-building initiatives, and community-based peacebuilding actions that contribute to conflict prevention and sustainable peace in Nigeria
About CEPASD
The Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD) is a peacebuilding and sustainable development organization focused on building a generation of young people capable of fostering peace, preventing violent conflict and promoting sustainable development across Africa.
About IPCR
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) is a Nigerian government peace and conflict institution under the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Established in 2000, it provides research, policy advisory, capacity development, and intervention support in conflict prevention, resolution, and management.
