Tinubu Tells Why Nigeria Will Continue To Partner With Religious Leaders

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed that his administration will continue to partner with religious leaders to promote peace, tolerance and national unity, describing interfaith dialogue as the most effective path to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Speaking 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, the President said religious leaders have a critical role to play in fostering harmony across the country.

“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,” Tinubu said.

The President also praised the Catholic Church for its contributions to education, healthcare and humanitarian services, saying his appreciation for the Church informed his decision to return mission schools to their original owners during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

“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 in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.

Tinubu expressed appreciation to Pope Leo XIV, recalling that he 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. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria,” he added.

The President said his administration remained committed to guaranteeing freedom of worship, noting that Nigeria’s religious diversity should unite rather than divide the country.

“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church. This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.

On security, Tinubu said the military had recorded significant gains against criminal elements, assuring that his government was investing more resources in surveillance and security operations while also empowering young people to prevent their recruitment by terrorist groups.

Earlier, Archbishop Gallagher said he was in Nigeria to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, describing the country as strategic to the Catholic Church because of its vibrant Catholic population.

He thanked President Tinubu for attending the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV and commended the administration’s efforts to promote peace and support the activities of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.