Lea Perekrests urges inclusive peacebuilding in Nigeria ahead of the Rotary Peace Summit, stressing good governance, local voices and long-term action.
LAGOS, Nigeria, 4 November 2026: International peacebuilding expert Lea Perekrests has called for inclusive governance, stronger institutions and community-led action to help Nigeria build lasting peace, ahead of the All Nigeria Rotary Peace Summit scheduled to hold in Lagos on Saturday.
Perekrests, Director of Partnerships at the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), arrived in Lagos on Wednesday ahead of the summit, where she is expected to deliver a keynote address on good governance, justice and equity.
Speaking to journalists after her arrival, she praised the reception she had received, describing the warmth and energy of Nigerians as “really, really incredible”.
She said peacebuilding must go beyond stopping violence to creating the social and institutional conditions that allow communities to live together safely and thrive.
Perekrests distinguished between “negative peace”, which refers to the absence of conflict or fear of conflict, and “positive peace”, which involves the attitudes, institutions and structures that support peaceful coexistence.
“Peace is not something that happens overnight. Peace is a very long-term commitment,” she said.
She urged Nigeria to invest in inclusive governance, effective institutions and active community participation, arguing that efforts to address insecurity must also consider the conditions that sustain peace.
Drawing on Northern Ireland’s experience, Perekrests said the peace agreement there had helped reduce violence over more than two decades, but communities remained segregated.
The example, she said, showed that peace agreements could deliver important gains, while lasting reconciliation also required changes in attitudes and everyday practices.
On Nigeria’s diverse security challenges, she advocated a combination of national coordination and locally driven solutions.
Perekrests said a whole-of-government approach was necessary, with institutions ranging from education and communications to the presidency contributing to peacebuilding.
She also stressed that grassroots initiatives must reflect the realities and priorities of local communities.
“When it comes to building peace on the ground, at the grassroots level, that’s where it needs to be inclusive of the local voices,” she said.
The peacebuilding expert called on Rotary members and civil society organisations to remain actively involved beyond the signing of formal agreements.
Addressing concerns about the implementation of peace accords, including the proposed Peace Legacy Accord expected at the summit, she said responsibility for sustaining peace should not rest solely with political leaders or agreement signatories.
“I think it’s the duty of you, of me, of every Rotary member around the world, to be activists for peace, to be taking action on the local level to build towards peace,” she said.
The All Nigeria Rotary Peace Summit 2026 will take place at the Victoria Garden Event Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, under the theme, “Good Governance, Justice and Equity: Foundations for Sustainable Peace”.
Its sub-theme is “From Dialogue to Action: Forging a Sustainable Peace Legacy in Nigeria”.
The summit, convened by Rotary International President Yinka Babalola, is expected to bring together peacebuilding experts, policymakers, academics, security professionals, Rotary leaders and civil society organisations to discuss practical responses to Nigeria’s peace and security challenges. The event’s date, venue and programme have also been reported by TheCable and Premium Times.
Perekrests’ keynote address is titled “Global Perspectives on Good Governance, Justice and Equity as Foundations for Sustainable Peace”. It will examine how effective institutions, inclusive governance and equitable societies can support long-term stability.
A major feature of the summit will be the proposed signing of a Peace Legacy Accord and Agenda, alongside the presentation of a declaration and communiqué outlining recommendations and stakeholder commitments.
Organisers say the gathering is intended to move beyond dialogue by strengthening partnerships and developing practical steps towards sustainable peace.
