A leading Nigerian civil society group, the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), has unveiled its 2026 work plan aimed at strengthening synergy, collaboration and partnerships for national and continental development.
Speaking on the plan, National Coordinator, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, said it outlines CEPEJ’s programmes and strategies for 2026, focusing on education, environmental justice, climate action, peace building, sports, governance and community development across several states and the FCT.
While addressing journalists on the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice CEPEJ work plan for 2026, the National Coordinator CEPEJ Comrade Sheriff Mulade said the 2026 work plan reflects CEPEJ-Africa’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, good governance, and community empowerment, in alignment with national development priorities and the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Comrade Mulade added that the overall goal of the 2026 work plan is to promote sustainable peace, environmental justice, support education, climate resilience, and foster economic empowerment through structured advocacy, capacity building, policy engagement, and grassroots interventions.
He emphasized that the specific objectives are to strengthen peace building mechanisms and conflict prevention at community, local and state government levels, Promote environmental protection, climate change awareness, and sustainable practices, Enhance community participation in governance, accountability, and social justice.
He further adds that other objectives includes build the capacity of youth, women, and community leaders as agents of peace and environmental stewardship, strengthening institutional coordination, monitoring, and partnerships for effective program delivery.
Speaking on the scope of the work plan, Comrade Mulade disclosed that the work plan covers urban and rural communities across Abia, Anambra, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Enugu, Edo, FCT-Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, and Rivers States with focused interventions at Community level, Local Government Areas, Women group networks, Sports and educational institutions, Security agencies, Civil society and youth networks, Traditional and religious institutions, Government ministries, departments, and agencies
According to him the
CEPEJ’s strategic plan for 2026 focuses on the African for Peace, Sports Development Program, Catch Them Young Football Tournament for under 15 years, geared toward scouting for talented young players, and provide opportunities for them to showcase their skills, gain exposure and be able to represent their country or join professional clubs, Quiz and Essay Competition for Riverine and Rural Secondary Students in Delta State to encourage learning and academic excellence among students in rural and riverine areas, support for Youths and Women Empowerment Programmes through industrialization, Skills Acquisition and Vacational Training), to equip youths and women with relevant skills by providing training, tools, and resources for personal and economic growth.
The CEPEJ National Coordinator said that the strategic plans include unveiling of the Niger Delta Peace Support Fund, community peacebuilding awareness creation and capacity building for community leaders, youths and women to promote and support initiatives that foster peace, security, and development in the Niger Delta region, the unveiling of Educational Support Fund which is Back to School Program, to enable and encourage disadvantaged students to access quality education, Re-presentation of the proposal for the establishment State Peacebuilding Commission in Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Ondo, Akwa-Ibom States to the Executive Governors and State Houses of Assembly in Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Ondo and Akwa Ibom.To deepen sustainability of peaceful coexistence, create enabling atmosphere for investors and employment opportunities for the youths among others.
Comrade Mulade told the media that the implementation will be carried out through Community-based participatory approaches, Strategic partnerships with government, international development agencies, NGOs, FBOs, CBOs and CSOs, Engagement of trained volunteers and facilitators, Periodic coordination meetings, Monitoring and evaluation will ensure effective and efficient program delivery, accountability and learning through, Activities tracking tools, Work Plan Review and Progress Reports, monthly and quarterly, Field monitoring visits, Lessons learned documentation among others .
The 2026 strategic Work Plan of CEPEJ which featured questions and answers session from journalists, provides a clear, actionable roadmap for CEPEJ-Africa to deliver impactful peace building, environmental justice, and community development interventions and uccessful implementation will contribute significantly to sustainable peace and environmental resilience in Nigeria.