Abuja:President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigeria’s path to peace lies not only in military strength but in the voices of its religious leaders, urging deeper interfaith dialogue as a way to heal divisions and tackle insecurity.
The president spoke warmly at his Abuja residence while receiving Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, who was in Nigeria to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between the Holy See and Nigeria.
Gallagher was accompanied by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu.
Tinubu reflected on the role of faith in Nigeria’s daily life, stressing that religious leaders are often the first to reach people’s hearts.
“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.
He recalled his long-standing relationship with the Catholic Church, praising its contributions to education, healthcare, and humanitarian services.
Tinubu noted that his conviction about the Church’s role in nation-building informed his decision to return mission schools to religious organisations during his tenure as Lagos State governor.
The president also expressed admiration for Pope Leo XIV’s global efforts to promote peace, recalling the honour of leading Nigeria’s delegation to the Pontiff’s inauguration.
“We need his spiritual engagement as millions around the world look up to him,” Tinubu said, adding that he hoped the Pope would one day visit Nigeria.
Tinubu reassured his guest that his administration remained committed to protecting freedom of worship, pointing to his wife’s role as a pastor in an evangelical church as a symbol of Nigeria’s religious diversity.
While acknowledging progress in the fight against insecurity through intensified military operations and surveillance, Tinubu emphasised that lasting peace requires more than force.
He said investments in youth development were critical to preventing radicalisation and terrorist recruitment.
Archbishop Gallagher described Nigeria as strategic to the Catholic Church because of its vibrant Catholic community.
He conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s presence at his inauguration and commended the president’s commitment to peace and security.
Gallagher also thanked the government for facilitating visas for Catholic bishops and supporting the Church’s needs, expressing confidence that relations between Nigeria and the Holy See would continue to deepen.
For Tinubu, the message was clear: Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, and dialogue between faiths is not just diplomacy — it is a lifeline for unity and security.
