Our Story
Why PEPNET Was Founded
Every transformative institution begins with a purpose. For PEPNET, that purpose was born from a simple but profound question: How can peace be taught and practised in ways that transform individuals, institutions, and communities?
In 2017, while serving as a secondary school teacher in Lagos, Nigeria, our Founder and Executive Director, Moses ABOLADE, encountered a challenge familiar to many educators. He desired to promote discipline, responsibility, and positive behaviour among students without relying on fear, intimidation, or corporal punishment. This experience sparked a personal and professional journey to explore more humane and sustainable approaches to education and social transformation.
Driven by this curiosity, he pursued a Professional Diploma in Education, which deepened his understanding of teaching and learning. Yet, he soon recognised that many of the challenges faced in classrooms reflected broader issues within families, communities, and society. This led him to study Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, where he gained valuable knowledge in peace education, conflict transformation, mediation, dialogue, and human development.
While the academic experience was transformative, it raised an even greater question:
How can this knowledge become accessible to teachers, young people, community leaders, practitioners, victims of violence, and ordinary citizens who may never have the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies?
The answer became the foundation of the Peace Education and Practice Network (PEPNET).
Founded on 1 November 2018, PEPNET was established to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical action by making peace education accessible, relevant, and impactful for individuals and institutions across Nigeria and beyond.
Key Milestones
Our journey has been marked by several important milestones that continue to shape our growth and impact:
- 2018: Peace Education and Practice Network (PEPNET) was founded.
- 2021: Officially registered as a non profit organisation in Nigeria.
- Developed innovative peace education manuals, toolkits, and learning resources.
- Established national and international partnerships with institutions working across peacebuilding, education, governance, and development.
- Trained and engaged thousands of young people, educators, practitioners, and community leaders through peace education and capacity building programmes.
- Expanded our reach through media, digital learning platforms, policy dialogues, conferences, and community based initiatives.
- Built a growing network of members, volunteers, fellows, advisors, and strategic partners committed to advancing a culture of peace.
Our Growth and Future Direction
Today, PEPNET is building a sustainable ecosystem for peace by connecting education with action and empowering individuals and institutions to become agents of positive change.
Looking ahead, we aspire to become a globally recognised centre of excellence for peace education and practice, expanding access to innovative learning, strengthening institutional partnerships, influencing public policy, producing evidence based knowledge, and nurturing the next generation of peace leaders.
As we continue to grow, our commitment remains unchanged: to build peaceful, resilient, and inclusive societies where every individual has the opportunity to learn, lead, and contribute to sustainable peace.
At PEPNET, we believe that peace is not merely the absence of conflict. It is a lifelong process of learning, collaboration, justice, and collective action.