President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with religious leaders to promote peace, harmony, and tolerance across Nigeria’s diverse faith communities.
The President made the pledge on Saturday while receiving Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, at his residence in Abuja. Archbishop Gallagher was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
President Tinubu said interfaith dialogue remains the only path to addressing the country’s security challenges.
“I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV,” the President said. “We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”
He assured the Archbishop that his government will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.
“My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths. 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 said.
The President recalled his long relationship with the Catholic Church, dating back to his time as Lagos governor, and said his support for the Church’s role in education and health informed his decision to return mission schools to religious institutions.
“I understand the roles that the Catholic church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us,” he added.
On security, Tinubu said the military has made significant progress and more resources are being deployed, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas. He noted that government is also investing in the youth to prevent exploitation by terrorists and reduce vulnerability to radicalisation.
“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship,” he said, referencing his wife’s role as a pastor at an evangelical church.
Archbishop Gallagher said he was in Nigeria for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See. He described Nigeria as “the heart of Africa” and strategic to the Catholic Church because of its vibrant Catholic community.
He conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for President Tinubu’s attendance at his inauguration and commended the President’s peace efforts. The Archbishop also lauded the progress at Veritas University, Abuja, and thanked the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and responding to Church needs.
He added that he looks forward to receiving the Nigerian Ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks and assured that the visit would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.
Also present were Archbishop Michael F. Crotty, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo.
