Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Saturday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working with religious leaders to promote peace, harmony and tolerance among the country’s diverse faith communities, describing interfaith dialogue as central to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Tinubu made the remarks while receiving Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, at his residence in Abuja. The visit marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See.
The president said his government would keep encouraging religious leaders of all faiths to preach peace and tolerance, pointing to what he described as the country’s religious diversity within his own family — his wife serves as a pastor at an evangelical church — as evidence against narratives of religious division in Nigeria. He also pledged continued protection of freedom of worship and praised the Catholic Church’s role in education, health and humanitarian work in the country.
On security, Tinubu said Nigeria’s military has made significant gains against criminal and terrorist groups, and that his government is increasing investment in intelligence gathering and surveillance, particularly in previously ungoverned areas, while expanding youth programs aimed at preventing radicalization.
Gallagher, who is in Nigeria for the anniversary commemorations, described the country as strategically important to the Catholic Church given its large Catholic population, and conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s attendance at his papal inauguration.
The remarks come as Nigeria faces continued scrutiny from abroad over religious violence, including a recent push in the U.S. Congress to condition foreign aid on Nigeria’s handling of religious persecution — a topic likely to keep drawing international attention ahead of the country’s 2027 elections.
