Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Religious Harmony
.. Seeks Stronger Partnership with Catholic Church
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting religious harmony, peace and tolerance across Nigeria, pledging continued collaboration with religious leaders to address insecurity and strengthen national unity.
The President made the commitment on Saturday while receiving Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher at his residence in Abuja. The Vatican envoy was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu.
Tinubu said interfaith dialogue remains the most effective path to tackling Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing that religious leaders have a critical role to play in fostering peace and tolerance.
He recalled his longstanding relationship with the Catholic Church, particularly during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, noting that he has always supported the Church’s contributions to education, healthcare and humanitarian services. He said this informed his decision to return mission schools to their original religious owners after they had been taken over during military rule.
The President also praised Pope Leo XIV for his global efforts in promoting peace, describing it as an honour to have led Nigeria’s delegation to the Pope’s inauguration. Tinubu expressed hope that the Pontiff would visit Nigeria in the future.
“My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths. Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. They should continue to preach peace and tolerance because we cannot have too much of it,” the President said.
He further assured his guest that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting freedom of worship, adding that increased investments are being made in security through enhanced surveillance and expanded military operations, especially in previously ungoverned areas.
According to the President, his administration is also investing in young people to reduce their vulnerability to terrorist recruitment and radicalisation.
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 conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation to President Tinubu for attending his inauguration and commended the administration’s efforts to promote peace and strengthen security. The Archbishop also expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for its cooperation with the Catholic Church, particularly in facilitating visas for bishops and responding to the Church’s needs.
Gallagher said he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks and expressed confidence that the visit would pave the way for stronger bilateral engagement between Nigeria and the Vatican.
