The National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr Dickson Akoh, has urged the Federal Government to incorporate the organisation into its ongoing security reforms, saying its nationwide presence could strengthen grassroots security and peace-building efforts.
Akoh made the appeal on Friday during a media briefing in Abuja to mark the Peace Corps’ 28th Anniversary and 2026 Founder’s Day celebration.
He renewed the organisation’s call for the speedy passage of the Peace Corps Establishment Bill, expressing optimism that its approval by the National Assembly and subsequent presidential assent would be the greatest anniversary gift to millions of patriotic, educated and service-oriented Nigerian youths.
The national commandant commended officers and members for their resilience despite years of institutional and operational challenges, urging them to remain disciplined, committed and steadfast until the organisation receives full statutory recognition.
Quoting former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Akoh encouraged members to embrace patience, integrity and perseverance, describing those qualities as essential to achieving the Peace Corps’ long-term national mission.
Speaking with journalists after the briefing, Akoh recalled that the organisation began 28 years ago with just 10 members in Kaduna and has since grown into a nationwide youth movement.
According to him, the Peace Corps now has more than 187,000 members, operates in about 93 per cent of Nigeria’s local government areas and maintains command offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Akoh said the Peace Corps Establishment Bill had already been passed by the Eighth and Ninth National Assemblies and is awaiting final legislative action before being transmitted for presidential assent.
He also highlighted the organisation’s international engagements, noting that it has secured observer status at the African Union and established liaison offices in New York, Vienna and Sudan to deepen global partnerships.
Responding to questions on funding, Akoh said the Peace Corps remains financially self-sustaining through annual membership dues, camping programmes and other internally generated revenue despite not receiving statutory government funding.
He said prudent management of these resources has enabled the organisation to sustain its programmes, maintain nationwide operations and continue pursuing its objectives.
On youth unemployment, Akoh argued that statutory recognition would create greater opportunities to engage Nigerian youths through structured civic service, leadership development, peace-building initiatives and community-based security programmes.
He maintained that although the Peace Corps currently operates as a non-governmental organisation, it has continued to pursue its constitutional objectives despite limited resources and operational constraints.
Clarifying the organisation’s role in the country’s security architecture, Akoh stressed that the Peace Corps was not seeking to replace existing security agencies but to complement them through non-kinetic, community-based interventions.
He disclosed that consultations with the Presidency were ongoing to facilitate the organisation’s inclusion in the Federal Government’s evolving security architecture and reform agenda.
Highlighting the challenges facing the organisation, Akoh cited delays in the passage of the establishment bill, legal disputes over its national headquarters, worsening economic conditions, rising operational costs and insecurity.
He said these challenges forced the organisation to scale down activities marking its anniversary, including the cancellation of a planned public lecture due to financial constraints.
Assessing Nigeria’s security situation, Akoh commended the efforts of the military, police and other security agencies, acknowledging the complexity of the country’s security challenges and emerging threats.
He expressed confidence that the Federal Government’s ongoing security reforms, alongside the eventual inclusion of the Peace Corps, would further strengthen national peace, stability and public safety.
Source:NAN
