Socio-economic Inequalities, Others Fuelling Insecurity In Nigeria -Dr. Ochogwu
By Sunday Etuka
The Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr Joseph Ochogwu, has blamed the rising insecurity in the country on socioeconomic inequalities, governance gaps, climate-induced resource conflicts, and the proliferation of small arms.
Dr Ochogwu spoke on Tuesday at the 2025 Investiture Public Lecture and Awards of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with the theme, “Strengthening Corporate Online Media for National Development.”
Speaking in a Keynote Address, the DG who was represented by Chukwuemeka Uba, an officer with the IPCR, explained that “the insecurity is not merely a security challenge; it is a developmental impediment. It disrupts economic activities, erodes investor confidence, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and exclusion.”
According to him, IPCR has intensified efforts in several key areas to address the current insecurity in the country.
“For instance, we have collaborated with security agencies to de-escalate farmer-herder clashes in states like Benue and Plateau, resulting in over 50 peace accords since 2023.
“Additionally, through our Women, Peace, and Security program, we empower women as agents of change in conflict-prone areas, recognizing their unique role in community stabilization.
“In the Northeast, IPCR supports post-conflict reconstruction by facilitating dialogues between displaced persons and host communities, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Yet, no institution can succeed in isolation. Peace building requires a whole-of-society approach, and a strong partnership between IPCR and corporate online media is not optional, it is necessary,” Dr Ochogwu noted.
He stated that the IPCR was already partnering with tech firms for innovations in analytics, adding that collaborating with ACOE could scale this nationwide.
Speaking on responsive journalism in Nigeria, the DG noted that despite the progress achieved, several challenges persist:
“The rise of fake news and deepfakes, which can exacerbate conflicts, as seen in manipulated narratives around “Christian genocide” claims that mask deeper terrorism roots. Increasing pressure on journalists from political and economic interests. Cybersecurity threats affecting media operations. Limited access to professional training and digital tools, and the economic struggles of online platforms trying to sustain ethical journalism.”
He noted that the online media could serve as a tool for early warning and prevention, integrating citizen journalism to report brewing tensions before they escalate.
“Imagine leveraging Al-driven analytics on social media trends to flag hate speech or misinformation that often precedes violence.”
Dr Ochogwu said in fostering social cohesion, online media must encourage content branding that prioritizes unity over division, sensitizing Nigerians on their roles, from supporting security forces to participating in community dialogues.
He urged the Editors to invest in technology, embrace Al, multimedia tools, cybersecurity systems, and data journalism to enhance content quality and audience reach.
The DG stressed that Nigeria needs media that amplifies solutions, not just problems, stories that heal divides, inspire hope, and encourage development.
Noting that the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda envisions a Nigeria where economic growth and good governance prevail,.and the media could ensure ethical, accurate reporting that counters fake news, which has fueled insecurity in recent years.
Also speaking, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, said the digital media has become the heartbeat of public communication. Saying that it is where narratives are formed, where opinions are shaped, and where citizens encounter the issues that affect their daily lives, underscoring the need to collectively uphold the values of accuracy, integrity, balance, and responsibility in the digital environment.
Onilu, who was represented by the Director, Communication and media, Bala Musa, said the agency is conscious of the increasing challenges of misinformation and disinformation, and it remains committed to partnering with credible online media organisations like ACOE to deepen digital ethics and strengthen editorial Standards across the sector.
He reaffirmed the agency’s shared responsibility to build amedia ecosystem that unites, enlightens, and strengthens Nigeria’s national fabric.
“When we promote truth online, we reinforce trust offline. When we uphold national values in our reporting, we help build a country that reflects the best of who we are,” he added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Shola Akingboye, said ACOE remains apolitical, guided only by speed, accuracy and truth.
According to him, the online media environment remains largely unregulated, noting that while the online platforms have democratize information, it has also opened the door to unprofessional practices that threaten public trust, therefore, it’s time to advocate proper guidelines, ethical standards and accountability programmes that protect the public.
He urged journalists, especially the editors to be more proactive, disciplined and more committed to the truth, noting: “excellence not an option, but our duties.”
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving organisations including IPCR, NOA, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission(NUPRC), amongst others.
