President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with religious leaders to promote peace, tolerance and interfaith harmony across Nigeria, describing dialogue among faith communities as essential to addressing the country’s security challenges.
The President stated this on Saturday while receiving the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, at his residence in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Archbishop Gallagher was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Tinubu said his administration would continue to encourage religious leaders to preach peace and foster national unity, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should remain a source of strength rather than division.
“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,” the President said.
He also expressed appreciation to Pope Leo XIV for his global peace efforts and recalled leading 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. 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,” Tinubu added.
The President highlighted his longstanding relationship with the Catholic Church, particularly during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, noting that the Church has continued to make significant contributions to education, healthcare and humanitarian services in Nigeria.
He said his conviction in the role of faith-based institutions informed his decision to return mission schools to their original owners after becoming governor, reversing policies introduced during previous military administrations.
Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting freedom of worship, noting that his wife serves as a pastor in an evangelical church, which he said reflects the religious diversity within his own family.
On security, the President said the military had recorded significant gains against criminal elements and insurgents, while assuring that his government would sustain investments in security operations through increased funding, improved surveillance and expanded operations in previously ungoverned areas.
He added that the administration was investing in young people through initiatives aimed at reducing unemployment and preventing their recruitment by terrorist and extremist 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 strategically important to the Catholic Church because of its vibrant Catholic population.
He conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation to President Tinubu for attending his inauguration and commended the administration’s efforts to promote peace and improve security.
The Vatican envoy also praised the progress recorded by Veritas University in Abuja and expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for Catholic bishops and supporting the Church’s activities in the country.
Gallagher said he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks and assured the President that more high-level visits from the Vatican would follow.
