By Ukpa Ewa
The International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC) has called on government at all level in Nigeria to adopt inclusive and data driven policies aimed at addressing poverty and unemployment as the world marks the 2026 World Day of Social Justice.
In a statement issued on Friday, IPCRC President, Prince Chris Azor, said the global observance presents an opportunity for policymakers to shift from symbolic commitments to practical interventions capable of reducing socio economic inequalities and improving citizens welfare.
He noted that persistent poverty, youth unemployment, inflationary pressures and disparities in access to quality education and healthcare services continue to undermine social cohesion, particularly among vulnerable populations in rural communities.
Azor further observed that implementation gaps at the subnational level including constraints in funding, planning, autonomy and accountability have limited the effectiveness of primary healthcare delivery, basic education systems and existing social welfare programmes.
According to the Centre, weak social protection mechanisms and limited programme coverage have left many at risk households without adequate institutional support, thereby exacerbating inequality and social exclusion across the country.
IPCRC warned that sustained neglect of social justice imperatives could heighten public frustration, erode trust in governance institutions and compound national security challenges.
The organisation advocated for the deployment of transparent and data driven social protection systems, credible and regularly updated social registers and increased public sector investment in foundational services such as primary education and healthcare.
It also recommended the alignment of youth employment initiatives with labour market demands and the provision of targeted support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to stimulate job creation and economic resilience.
IPCRC emphasized the need for participatory policy processes that integrate women, young people, persons with disabilities, and community stakeholders in decision making, noting that civil society organisations play a critical watchdog role in public expenditure tracking and policy advocacy.
The Centre maintained that the 2026 observance should serve as a turning point for measurable action through institutional strengthening and inclusive development planning to reduce inequality and promote sustainable national progress.
