The National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr. Dickson Akoh, has commended President Bola Tinubu for restructuring the country’s security architecture, saying the reforms have contributed to a reduction in criminal activities across Nigeria.
Akoh made the remarks during a media briefing to mark the Peace Corps of Nigeria’s 28th Anniversary and Founder’s Day celebration in Abuja.
Speaking on the anniversary theme, “Peace Corps at 28: A Major Stakeholder in Addressing Contemporary Security Challenges, Options and Strategies in Nigeria,” the commandant reaffirmed the organisation’s readiness to support national security efforts through non-kinetic strategies.
According to him, the Peace Corps is prepared to mobilise its personnel and deploy its assets to complement conventional security agencies by promoting intelligence gathering, youth engagement, community surveillance and conflict prevention.
He said such an approach would help guarantee lasting peace and security in communities across the country.
Akoh also used the occasion to appeal to the Senate to expedite the passage of the Peace Corps Establishment Bill, urging President Tinubu to assent to the legislation once passed.
He described the enactment of the bill as the most meaningful anniversary gift the Federal Government could give to the organisation and millions of Nigerian youths associated with it.
Reflecting on the organisation’s 28-year journey, Akoh said the Peace Corps had overcome numerous institutional,
legislative and operational challenges to become a nationally and internationally recognised youth-driven organisation committed to peacebuilding, civic responsibility and youth empowerment.
He noted that the Corps currently operates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, providing structured programmes aimed at character development and nation-building.
Addressing Nigeria’s security situation, Akoh warned against what he described as “pretentious peace,” arguing that insecurity has reached a level that threatens the country’s stability and requires innovative, community-based responses.
He commended President Tinubu’s ongoing security sector reforms, describing them as timely and capable of restoring long-term law and order if complemented with broader institutional support.
The Peace Corps commandant urged the Federal Government to adopt security models used in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil, where auxiliary security organisations complement conventional military and police institutions.
According to him, Nigeria should embrace a multi-layered security framework that allows conventional agencies to concentrate on combat operations and specialised policing, while auxiliary organisations handle non-kinetic responsibilities, including community policing, school safety and grassroots intelligence gathering.
Akoh further appealed to the Federal Government to formally integrate the Peace Corps into Nigeria’s security framework, citing the organisation’s nationwide network of more than 187,000 personnel.
He said the Corps has the capacity to serve as a grassroots information network by providing timely security intelligence to conventional security agencies and the Office of the National Security Adviser, while also supporting youth orientation and preparing young Nigerians for civic and security-related responsibilities.
He expressed confidence that the Peace Corps Establishment Bill would eventually receive Senate approval and presidential assent, describing the legislation as essential to strengthening the organisation’s contribution to national security and sustainable peace.
Akoh reiterated the Peace Corps’ commitment to partnering with relevant stakeholders in building peaceful, secure and resilient communities across Nigeria.
