Animasawun seeks daily investment in peace building efforts
By Mustafa Abubakar
The Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS), University of Ilorin, Prof. Gbemisola Abdul-Jelil Animasawun, has called for deliberate and sustained investment in peacebuilding, describing peace as an achievable reality that requires collective commitment and daily action.
Prof. Animasawun made the call last Thursday (September 24, 2026) in his message to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Peace. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Invest in Peace For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
He noted that peace should not be regarded as a utopian aspiration or distant ideal, but as a reality that can be achieved through deliberate investments and interventions at individual, community, national and international levels.
According to him, peace must be organically imagined and constructed, particularly in regions facing insecurity, including the Sahel and Lake Chad, as well as communities across Nigeria contending with banditry and violent extremism.
He said that the University of Ilorin, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, consistently demonstrates its commitment to peacebuilding through the CPSS’ engagements and interventions in communities and at the national level, as well as strategic collaborations with critical stakeholders in the peace and national security ecosystem.
Prof. Animasawun disclosed that in collaboration with its partners, RUDN and CEREDMS, the Centre had established a 2027 Election Situation Room to monitor campaigns by leading contenders as part of an early warning and early response mechanism, using the evidence to learning model.
He explained that the initiative was designed to support the tracking of electoral campaigns and generate evidence that could inform timely responses to emerging issues.
The Director also highlighted the Centre’s “2027 No Be War” Speakers’ Series, which engages security chiefs and citizens in discussions aimed at promoting peace and peaceful participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the initiatives build on the Centre’s longstanding research and intervention activities towards achieving sustainable peace and security in both peaceful and fragile contexts.
Prof. Animasawun urged stakeholders to sustain their commitment to peacebuilding, emphasising the need to invest in peace for everyone, everywhere and every day.
He equally called on all stakeholders to continue supporting deliberate actions and interventions that promote peace and security across communities and nations.
