Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Nigeria’s Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has urged religious leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders to reject divisive religious narratives, warning that exaggerated accounts of insecurity could deepen mistrust and threaten national unity.
The Director-General of the institute, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, made the call on Friday, November 6, 2026, in Abuja during a Quarterly Policy Review Dialogue of the Network of Policymakers and Religious Leaders to Support Peace, Security and Reconciliation in Nigeria.
Ochogwu stressed that discussions about religious freedom, insecurity and attacks against vulnerable communities must be guided by facts, evidence and responsible public communication rather than narratives that portray Nigeria’s security challenges exclusively as conflicts between religious groups.
He warned that such narratives could reinforce divisions, encourage suspicion and undermine efforts to address the underlying causes of insecurity.
The IPCR chief made the remarks amid growing national and international attention to religious freedom and security concerns in Nigeria, including the United States’ designation of the country as a Country of Particular Concern.
According to Ochogwu, legitimate concerns about religious persecution, intolerance and attacks against communities must be addressed without allowing public discourse to create further divisions.
IPCR Calls for Evidence-Based Discussions on Religious Freedom
The IPCR Director-General emphasised that protecting religious freedom should not be confused with promoting narratives that encourage hostility between religious communities.
He maintained that concerns about attacks, religious intolerance and discrimination deserve serious attention, but warned that the way such issues are discussed publicly could either support peacebuilding or worsen existing tensions.
According to him, public conversations must distinguish between legitimate advocacy for victims and messages that could deliberately or unintentionally promote an ‘Us versus Them’ mentality.
Ochogwu also stressed that victims of religiously motivated attacks and other violations must receive justice and protection.
He said the responsibility of stakeholders was to ensure that concerns about religious freedom were addressed constructively while encouraging national understanding and peaceful coexistence.
Three Areas IPCR Wants Nigeria to Address
Ochogwu identified local governance, security administration and foreign relations as three important areas requiring stronger policy interventions to protect religious freedom and strengthen national stability.
1. Stronger Local Government and Community Engagement
On local governance, the IPCR chief called for more responsive local government administrations and stronger involvement of traditional rulers, religious leaders and community institutions in preventing conflicts.
He argued that communities needed accessible platforms through which grievances could be addressed before developing into violence.
He also highlighted the importance of community-based conflict resolution, particularly in areas where religious intolerance, discrimination and other social grievances threaten peaceful coexistence.
Religious and traditional leaders, he noted, have important grassroots influence that could help identify emerging tensions and encourage dialogue between communities.
2. Impartial Security Operations and Accountability
On security, Ochogwu urged Nigerian security institutions to protect every citizen without discrimination, regardless of religious affiliation or background.
He called for professional, intelligence-driven and impartial security operations that respect constitutional provisions and human rights standards.
He also emphasised the need for accountability whenever security personnel or other individuals violate citizens’ rights.
According to the IPCR Director-General, improved early-warning systems and effective responses to emerging threats would help strengthen public confidence in security institutions.
His position places emphasis on ensuring that security interventions address actual threats rather than being influenced by religious or other identity-based considerations.
3. Stronger International Cooperation
Ochogwu also called for Nigeria to strengthen its diplomatic engagements and international partnerships to address religious intolerance and identity-based conflicts.
He said the country’s foreign relations should reflect its constitutional and international commitments to freedom of religion and belief.
He maintained that constructive international cooperation could improve confidence in Nigeria’s human rights commitments while supporting efforts to address insecurity and religious discrimination.
The call comes as Nigeria faces increased international scrutiny over reports of attacks against religious communities and the government’s responsibility to protect citizens.
US Religious Freedom Concerns Add to International Attention
Nigeria’s religious freedom situation has attracted renewed international attention following its designation as a Country of Particular Concern by the United States.
The issue has generated discussions about the protection of Christian and Muslim communities, the causes of insecurity and the responsibilities of the Nigerian government.
However, the IPCR’s position is that complex security challenges should not automatically be interpreted through religious identities alone.
Nigeria faces multiple security threats, including terrorism, armed criminality and communal violence. These challenges require careful investigation and responses based on the circumstances of individual incidents.
In an August 13, 2026 report, Reuters documented efforts by more than 50 Muslim and Christian leaders to establish an interfaith peace accord in Abuja.
The agreement was intended to promote religious harmony and cooperation between faith communities.
Reuters also reported that extremist violence in Nigeria has affected people across religious communities, with analysts and rights groups identifying Muslims as the majority of victims of insurgent attacks in the country’s predominantly Muslim north-east.
The broader security picture reinforces the importance of distinguishing between the religious identity of victims, the motives of perpetrators and the different factors contributing to violence.
Neither religious persecution nor other forms of insecurity should be dismissed. Equally, claims about the causes and patterns of attacks require evidence and responsible reporting.
Religious Leaders Urged to Strengthen Peacebuilding
The IPCR chief acknowledged the contributions of religious leaders and faith-based organisations to reconciliation, conflict prevention and social cohesion.
He described them as important partners in governance, community mobilisation and early-warning initiatives.
Their influence at the grassroots level, he said, provides opportunities to strengthen dialogue and prevent disagreements from escalating into violent confrontations.
The dialogue was organised through the Network of Policymakers and Religious Leaders to Support Peace, Security and Reconciliation in Nigeria, with support from the International Dialogue Centre, known as KAICIID.
The network brings together government representatives and senior religious leaders to encourage better policies and peaceful relations among Nigeria’s diverse communities.
According to KAICIID, the initiative focuses on preventive measures that address tensions before they develop into violent conflicts. KAICIID +1
Ochogwu commended KAICIID for its partnership with the IPCR in sustaining the network since its establishment in 2022.
He urged members to move beyond discussions and translate recommendations from previous meetings into practical programmes and interventions at the community level.
Other Participants Highlight Governance and Social Divisions
The dialogue also featured a presentation by Professor Shehu Abdullahi Zuru, SAN, while Reverend John Joseph Hayab participated as an expert discussant.
Discussions at the meeting addressed the relationship between governance, security, religious freedom and Nigeria’s wider peacebuilding efforts.
The importance of addressing institutional weaknesses, strengthening community relationships and ensuring that perpetrators of violence are held accountable also featured in the broader discussions surrounding the meeting.
The emphasis on accountability is particularly important in a country where unresolved grievances and weak responses to violence can undermine public confidence in government institutions.
Why the IPCR’s Warning Matters
Nigeria’s religious diversity remains an important part of its national identity. However, religious differences can become sources of tension when exploited by political actors, extremists or other individuals seeking to advance particular interests.
Divisive public narratives can make peaceful communities suspicious of one another, weaken trust and complicate efforts to resolve conflicts.
At the same time, responsible public discourse must not become an excuse to silence legitimate concerns about attacks, discrimination or violations of religious freedom.
The challenge for Nigerian authorities is therefore twofold: protect every citizen and ensure that credible allegations of religiously motivated violence receive proper investigation and appropriate action.
For the media, religious institutions and policymakers, the responsibility includes distinguishing verified information from misinformation, avoiding inflammatory generalisations and ensuring that victims’ experiences are not overlooked.
The IPCR’s position also highlights the need for peacebuilding efforts to extend beyond high-level meetings in Abuja. Sustainable progress will depend on whether government institutions, security agencies and community leaders implement practical measures capable of preventing violence and protecting fundamental rights.
What Happens Next?
Ochogwu urged participants in the policy dialogue to develop practical recommendations that would improve government policies, institutional coordination and community-level peacebuilding.
He also challenged members of the network to ensure that previous recommendations result in measurable interventions rather than remaining discussions and policy documents.
The effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on implementation, particularly in communities facing religious tensions, insecurity and discrimination.
For Nigeria, the wider objective remains the protection of citizens’ rights and the development of a society where religious differences do not become grounds for exclusion, violence or unequal treatment.
The IPCR maintains that every Nigerian deserves justice, dignity and equal protection, irrespective of religious belief or identity.
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