Global peace advocate and founder of the Institute for Economics and Peace, Mr Steve Killelea, has held a high-level meeting with the Conflict Research Network West Africa to advance practical pathways for sustainable peace in Nigeria and across West Africa.

The meeting, held in Abuja, brought together top officials of the host organisation, including the IEP Country Representative, Mr Roy Nwafor; the SPRiNG Team Lead, Prof. Ukiwo Ukoha; Mr Obinna Chukwuezie; and Ms Lara Raji of CORN West Africa.

Deliberations focused on strengthening the use of data, local knowledge, and community-driven approaches to prevent conflict and build resilience.

Participants examined how positive peace frameworks can better serve Nigeria’s peacebuilding priorities by aligning global insights with local realities.

The discussion emphasised the need for credible, real-time data that reflects lived experiences within communities, especially in fragile and conflict-affected areas.

Speaking during the meeting, the Associate Director at CORN West Africa, Mr Obinna Chukwuezie, noted that while global peace frameworks provide a framework for understanding conflict trends, gaps remain in capturing local perspectives.

He said localised peace metrics, when combined with strong narratives, can influence behaviour, shape public discourse, and support more responsive policymaking.

Killelea, in his remarks, underscored the economic and social value of peace, stressing that countries that strengthen the institutions and attitudes that sustain peace are better positioned for long-term growth and stability.

Prof. Ukiwo Ukoha highlighted the significance of the NPAID initiative, led by CORN West Africa, describing it as a vital tool for understanding patterns of both violence and resilience.

He explained that tracking peace efforts across governments, communities, security institutions, and civil society would help identify what works in preventing conflict.

According to him, building evidence around successful peace interventions would not only deepen understanding but also encourage the replication of effective strategies across different contexts.

Ms Lara Raji pointed to the National Peace Web as a strategic platform for documenting peace actions, actors, and community-level mechanisms that sustain stability.

She explained that the platform provides real-time insights that complement global indices and strengthen the overall evidence base for peacebuilding.