IAUE Set to Become Leading Peace Studies Institute, Says IAUE Professor Albert

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, is on track to become the foremost center for peace studies in Nigeria, according to Professor Isaac Olawale Albert from the University of Ibadan’s Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies.

Professor Albert made this statement during a public lecture on "Contemporary Security Challenges in Africa: What Hope in Peace Studies and Practice" held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at IAUE's Postgraduate Hall. His lecture delved into the interdisciplinary nature of peace and conflict studies, highlighting its role in examining the causes and consequences of conflicts, as well as promoting peaceful and just societies.

Albert also emphasized the importance of Peace Practice, which focuses on implementing strategies and techniques to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts, ultimately fostering sustainable peace and development. He pointed out that Africa's growth is inextricably linked to peace and urged African leaders to develop homegrown solutions to security challenges instead of depending on foreign interventions that may not align with the continent’s socio-cultural realities.

Speaking on Africa’s current crises, Professor Albert attributed much of the instability to leadership failures, while criticizing peace studies graduates for often lacking the practical skills necessary to address real-world societal challenges. However, he was optimistic about the role IAUE’s academic programs—including PGD, M.A., and Ph.D. offerings in Peace and Conflict Studies, Human Security, and Peace Education—will play in bridging that gap and building the human capacity needed to promote peace in the region.

Earlier in the event, IAUE's Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, expressed his administration's commitment to establishing the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies and emphasized the need for a distinctive curriculum. He was hopeful that the institute would generate the skilled manpower required to address the unique challenges facing the Niger Delta region.

The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Kingdom Eke Orji, commended Professor Albert’s thought-provoking lecture, while the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Joseph Kinanee, extended gratitude to both the Acting Vice Chancellor and Professor Albert for their vision and contributions to the university's growth.