Stakeholders on youth development in Nigeria have issued a strong appeal to the Senate to expedite passage of a critical bill to formally establish the Nigerian Peace Corps, an organization they say is key to addressing youth unemployment and improving national security.
The bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives in February 2024, has been pending before the Senate for several months, awaiting its third reading and final approval.
Once passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, the legislation would institutionalize the operations of the Peace Corps, granting it full legal recognition and the ability to scale its work across the country.
During a press briefing to Mark the 27th anniversary of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, stakeholders—including government officials, youth leaders, and civil society advocates- emphasized the urgent need for the Senate to act.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Mr. Francis Ihema conveyed the federal government’s recognition of the Corps’ role in peacebuilding and youth engagement.
Dr. Jonathan Onoja Isaac, Dr. Ibrahim Amendur, Dr. Okeha Michael, and a representative from the Minister of Youth Development, Adulbasit Abdul, also lent their voices to the call, urging Senate President Godswill Akpabio to “fast-track this vital legislation in the interest of youth development.”
The National Commandant of the Peace Corps, Ambassador Dickson Akoh, highlighted the broader national implications of the bill, citing the rise in insecurity across Nigeria.
“Idle and disillusioned youths often become easy recruits for terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities,” Akoh warned.
“A strategic and inclusive approach to security must prioritize youth empowerment,” he added.
Akoh outlined the unique positioning of the Peace Corps as a community-embedded organization capable of rapid mobilization, intelligence gathering, and youth reorientation.
“With our disciplined, trained personnel—most of whom are young Nigerians—we are ready to serve in national emergencies, civic duties, and as a preparatory platform for future recruitment into military and paramilitary agencies,” he stated.
He concluded with a direct appeal to the Senate, saying, “The enactment of this bill would not only be a landmark achievement for Nigeria but also a cherished 27th Anniversary gift to our officers and men across the country.”
The bill’s passage could serve as a model for other nations confronting similar demographic and security challenges, demonstrating how structured youth engagement can contribute to national stability and peacebuilding.