The Peace Corps of Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to formally integrate its more than 187,000 personnel into the country’s security architecture, arguing that the organisation can strengthen intelligence gathering and help tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity through non-kinetic operations.
National Commandant of the Peace Corps, Dr Dickson Akoh, made the appeal in Abuja during a media briefing to mark the organisation’s 28th anniversary and 2026 Founder’s Day celebration.
Speaking on the theme, “Peace Corps at 28: A Major Stakeholder in Addressing Contemporary Security Challenges, Options and Strategies in Nigeria,” Akoh said Nigeria’s security challenges require broader collaboration beyond conventional military and police operations.
“The current state of insecurity has assumed a critical dimension that directly threatens the corporate existence of our nation. We can no longer afford the luxury of hiding behind superficial stability while our communities bleed,” he said.
Akoh praised President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to restructure the nation’s security architecture but urged the Federal Government to adopt global models that incorporate auxiliary security organisations alongside conventional forces.
He said countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil have demonstrated that national security is more effective when supported by specialised non-kinetic agencies.
According to him, integrating the Peace Corps into Nigeria’s security framework would allow conventional security agencies to focus on combat operations while the Corps handles grassroots surveillance, neighbourhood watch, school safety and intelligence gathering.
“Our personnel are equipped to gather and transmit localised safety data directly to conventional security agencies and the Office of the National Security Adviser, ensuring swift, pre-emptive action against emerging threats,” Akoh said.
The National Commandant said the organisation’s nationwide presence makes it well positioned to contribute to youth engagement, civic orientation and community-based peacebuilding.
He added that the Corps has spent the past 28 years promoting youth development, volunteerism and grassroots peace initiatives across Nigeria despite legislative and operational challenges.
Akoh also appealed to the Senate to expedite the passage of the Peace Corps Establishment Bill, describing presidential assent to the legislation as the “most cherished” anniversary gift for millions of young Nigerians supporting the organisation.
“We make a passionate appeal to the leadership of the 10th Senate to facilitate the final passage of this Bill. Its enactment and subsequent assent by Mr President would be the most cherished 28th Anniversary gift to millions of dedicated, patriotic young Nigerians,” he said.
The Peace Corps of Nigeria was founded on July 10, 1998, and says it now operates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on youth empowerment, civic responsibility and peacebuilding.
