President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting peace, religious harmony, and tolerance across Nigeria, stressing that sustained interfaith dialogue remains essential to addressing the country’s security challenges and strengthening national unity.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening collaboration with religious leaders to foster peace, tolerance, and harmonious coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse faith communities.
The President made the declaration while receiving Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, at his residence in Abuja. The Vatican envoy was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described interfaith dialogue as the most effective pathway to tackling Nigeria’s security challenges and promoting lasting national stability.
Reflecting on his relationship with the Catholic Church, the President recalled his cordial partnership with the Church during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State and praised its longstanding contributions to education, healthcare, and humanitarian services.
He noted that his conviction in the role of faith-based institutions informed his decision to return mission schools to their original religious proprietors after assuming office as governor, reversing policies introduced during previous military administrations.
President Tinubu also expressed appreciation to Pope Leo XIV for his global advocacy for peace, describing it as an honour to have led Nigeria’s delegation to the Pope’s inauguration.
“I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV. It was a moment of history. I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace. We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him,” the President said.
He added that his administration would continue to promote religious harmony by working closely with Christian and Muslim leaders across the country.
“Our Bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” he stated.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting freedom of worship, noting that Nigeria’s religious diversity should remain a source of unity rather than division.
Addressing security, the President assured the Vatican delegation that the Nigerian Armed Forces had recorded significant operational successes against criminal and terrorist groups. He said the government was investing more resources in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and security operations, particularly in previously ungoverned areas, while also expanding youth empowerment initiatives aimed at preventing radicalisation and recruitment by extremist groups.
Archbishop Gallagher, who is in Nigeria to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Holy See, described Nigeria as a strategic nation for the Catholic Church because of its vibrant Catholic population.
He conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for President Tinubu’s attendance at the papal inauguration and commended the President’s efforts to promote peace and strengthen national security.
The Archbishop also praised the progress recorded by Veritas University in Abuja and expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Government for its support to the Catholic Church, including facilitating visas for bishops and responding positively to the Church’s administrative needs.
He informed President Tinubu that he looks forward to receiving Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks and assured the President that the visit would mark the beginning of stronger diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the Vatican.
Archbishop Gallagher was accompanied by Archbishop Michael F. Crotty, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony of the Secretariat of State’s Section for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.
