Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Religious Harmony, Seeks Stronger Vatican Partnership on Peace

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, saying collaboration with religious leaders remains crucial to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

The President made the remarks on Saturday in Abuja while receiving Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, who was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, during a courtesy visit at his residence.

Tinubu said sustained dialogue among religious groups remained the most effective path to strengthening national unity and tackling insecurity, adding that his administration would continue to support initiatives that foster peace and tolerance across the country.

Reflecting on his relationship with the Catholic Church, the President recalled his tenure as governor of Lagos State, when he prioritised the return of mission schools to their original religious owners after they had been taken over by previous military administrations.

He commended the Catholic Church for its contributions to education, healthcare and humanitarian services, describing its role in Nigeria’s development as significant.

Tinubu also expressed appreciation to Pope Leo XIV for his global peace efforts and recalled leading Nigeria’s delegation to the Pope’s inauguration.

“It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration. We need his spiritual engagement as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria,” the President said.

He urged Christian and Muslim leaders to continue preaching peace and tolerance, stressing that Nigeria could never have “an excess” of such values.

Addressing concerns about religious freedom, Tinubu said his administration remains committed to protecting the rights of all Nigerians to worship freely, noting that his wife serves as a pastor in an evangelical church, a reflection, he said, of the country’s religious diversity.

On security, the President said the military had recorded significant gains against criminal elements, while assuring that his administration was investing more resources in intelligence gathering, surveillance and operations, particularly in previously ungoverned areas.

He added that government programmes targeting young people were aimed at reducing unemployment and preventing their recruitment by terrorist groups and other violent actors.

Archbishop Gallagher, who is in Nigeria to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, described the country as strategic to the Catholic Church because of its vibrant Catholic population.

He conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s attendance at his inauguration and commended the President’s efforts to promote peace and security.

The Vatican envoy also praised the progress recorded by Veritas University in Abuja and thanked the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for Catholic bishops and responding to the Church’s needs.

Gallagher expressed optimism about stronger bilateral ties, revealing that he looks forward to receiving Nigeria’s ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks while assuring the President that more high-level Vatican visits to Nigeria would follow.