The federal ministry of education, in collaboration with UNESCO, has restated its commitment to advancing peace education in Nigeria through multistakeholder engagement on the National Peace Education Initiative (NPEI).
The initiative seeks to contribute to the building of a peaceful and inclusive Nigeria by institutionalising peace education through a nationally owned, sustainable, and system-wide framework.
The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, represented by Obianuju Anigbogu, director of education, planning, research and development, disclosed this during the National Consultative Meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
The minister explained that the initiative, anchored on the UNESCO 2023 Recommendations on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development, reflects Nigeria’s growing commitment to building a culture of peace through education.
Mr Alausa said, “The peace education initiative is holistic; it aligns with every aspect of the nursery initiative, because without peace, we cannot even achieve our agenda.
“It aligns with every aspect of our mandate. At our level, it is already there, infused in our education and even in history.
“Then, in the university, also in the general studies, it is already infused there; its implementation is already running.”
In his remarks, Jean-Paul Abiaga, UNESCO country representative to Nigeria, commended Mr Alausa’s leadership and vision in driving transformative education reforms in the country.
Mr Abiaga, represented by Albert Mendy, regional education advisor and head of the education sector, UNESCO Office Abuja, reaffirmed the commitment to partner with the ministry and the National Technical Working Group.
According to him, such would ensure the development of a comprehensive peace education framework that aligns with international best practices in curriculum design, content development, and teacher training.
“UNESCO’s conviction that peace must be built in the minds of people and that education remains the most powerful foundation for achieving that vision.
“Education helps societies process painful histories, uphold the dignity of victims, and learn constructive lessons from the past.
“It creates the space for dialogue, empathy, and responsible citizenship,” Mr Abiaga said.
The meeting featured remarks by the director-general of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (ICPR), Joseph Ochogwu, represented by Olalekan Babatunde, research fellow/peacebuilder at the institute.
Others include remarks on the peace education initiative by Salisu Shehu, executive secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).
The high point of the event was the partner country presentation – Rwanda, by Freddy Mutanguha, director of Kigali Genocide Memorial, Rwanda, and a global perspective on education about violent pasts, by Isabel Tamoj, associate project officer, UNESCO.
Also was a reflection and comment by Paulinus Okwelle, executive secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education.
(NAN)
