Abstract

This study examined the position of strategic communication in achieving sustainable peace in South Eastern region of Nigeria. The theory of human relations was adopted and the population of study is 1,466663 residents drawn from the five South Eastern States-Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. The sample size is 400 while multi-sampling technique was used to select the respondents who were administered with questionnaire as instrument for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive method. The findings revealed that: residents of South East region of Nigeria were faced with attacks and security challenges such as herdsmen attacks, unknown gunmen attacks, Monday sit-at-home attacks, inter-communal crises, kidnapping, political attacks and ritual killings. It was also found that strategic communication for peace such as stakeholders’ round table dialogue, traditional resolution communication system, mass media peace campaign communication and digital/online awareness communication for peace can be used to communicate and achieve sustainable peace in the region. This study  recommended that: the use of peace communication campaigns against all forms of violence, attacks, killings and destructions of lives and properties in South East should be encouraged, universities should establish Peace Communication Study (PECOMS) as a general course of study, and application of government laws and policies on sustainable peace communication accords, agreements and resolutions with inter-communities, inter-local government areas and inter-states in the South East region of Nigeria should be made and enforced into action.

Key Words: Strategic Communication, Peace, Sustainable Peace

About the Author

* Nelson Iroabuchi Ogbaeja, Ph.D., is of the Department of Mass Communication, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, Special Issue 4, January 2026, pp. 53-64.

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Ogbaeja, N. I. (2026). Strategic communication for sustainable peace in South East Nigeria: The way forward. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1, SP.4): 53-64.

Full Article

Words:  6,563

Pages: 12

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