The Vice-Chancellor of Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan, Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, has said good governance, justice, social inclusion and economic opportunities are critical to achieving sustainable peace in Nigeria and Africa.
Adeyemo stated this while delivering his address at the 20th International Conference and General Assembly of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), held at Lead City University, Ibadan.
The conference, with the theme, “Security, Governance and Global Dynamics,” brought together scholars, security experts, policymakers, traditional rulers, researchers, development practitioners and students to deliberate on contemporary security and peacebuilding challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor said the nature of security had evolved beyond the traditional focus on military protection of territorial borders, stressing that security was fundamentally about the safety and wellbeing of citizens.
According to him, security encompasses access to justice, trust in institutions, economic opportunities and social inclusion, which enable citizens to pursue their aspirations without fear.
He said, “Where governance is weak, insecurity thrives. Where justice is absent, conflict grows. Where citizens lose confidence in institutions, instability becomes inevitable.
“Conversely, where governance is accountable, inclusive and responsive, peace flourishes.”
Adeyemo therefore called for a broader understanding of security that integrates governance, development, human rights, social cohesion and environmental sustainability.
He noted that Nigeria and Africa were confronted with complex and interconnected challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, climate-related conflicts, economic instability, political polarisation, misinformation, irregular migration and transnational criminal networks.
The Vice-Chancellor also urged stakeholders to rethink traditional approaches to peacebuilding in response to emerging global developments such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies, climate change, demographic transitions and shifting geopolitical alliances.
He said the transformations presented both opportunities and risks, stressing that collective efforts were required to ensure that they became instruments of progress rather than sources of conflict.
Adeyemo described the 20th anniversary of SPSP as a significant milestone, commending the society for advancing scholarship, advocacy and professional practice in peacebuilding, conflict transformation and sustainable development over the past two decades.
He said SPSP had nurtured generations of scholars and practitioners, influenced public policy and promoted dialogue across divides, while contributing to the institutionalisation of Peace and Conflict Studies in Nigerian universities and beyond.
The VC also acknowledged the contributions of the founder and past president of SPSP, Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert, whom he described as a pioneer and champion of peace studies in Nigeria.
He said the society’s journey demonstrated that peace was not an event but a process built through knowledge, dialogue, justice, inclusion and responsible leadership.
Adeyemo noted that the partnership between SPSP and Lead City University was founded on shared values and aspirations in the areas of peace education, good governance and national development.
He said universities had a responsibility to serve as centres of social transformation by producing not only graduates but also problem-solvers, peacebuilders and ethical leaders capable of addressing contemporary societal challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor also congratulated the Chancellor of Lead City University, Prof. Gabriel Babatunde Ogunmola, on his conferment with the Fellowship of SPSP.
