President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing interfaith dialogue as a vital strategy for fostering peace, harmony, and tolerance across Nigeria’s diverse religious landscape.
The President made the declaration on Saturday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations. The Vatican diplomat was accompanied to the presidential residence by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Addressing the security issues confronting the nation, President Tinubu emphasized that open dialogue between different faiths remains the primary sustainable pathway forward.
Reflecting on his political history, the President highlighted his enduring relationship with the Catholic Church, specifically recalling his tenure as Governor of Lagos State when his administration returned mission schools—originally seized during military eras—back 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,” President Tinubu said. “It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it.”
The President also extended his personal regards to the Pope, noting his privilege in leading the Nigerian delegation to the pontiff’s inauguration.
“We 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.
In addressing religious controversies, the President pointed to his own household as a reflection of Nigeria’s potential for coexistence, noting that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s role as an evangelical pastor underscores the administration’s commitment to absolute freedom of worship.
On national security, President Tinubu assured the delegation that the Nigerian military is making steady progress through intensified surveillance, particularly in previously ungoverned spaces. He acknowledged the fragile nature of security, stating that while more resources are being allocated to defense, the administration is simultaneously focusing on youth empowerment to shield vulnerable demographics from terrorist radicalization and exploitation.
Archbishop Gallagher explained that his visit marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Holy See. He described Nigeria as the “heart of Africa” and a highly strategic nation for the global Catholic Church due to its vibrant faith community.
The Archbishop conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s gratitude for the President’s attendance at his inauguration and commended the government’s recent military initiatives aimed at stabilizing the region. He also expressed satisfaction with the growth of local institutions, specifically praising the progress of Veritas University in Abuja.
Concluding the meeting, Archbishop Gallagher thanked the Nigerian government for its ongoing administrative cooperation—including facilitating visas for visiting bishops and announced that the Holy See looks forward to officially receiving the Nigerian Ambassador to the Vatican in the coming weeks.
The Vatican delegation included Archbishop Michael F. Crotty, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria; Reverend Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony of the Secretariat of State; and Reverend Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.
