President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with religious leaders to strengthen peace, harmony and tolerance across Nigeria.
Tinubu made the pledge on Saturday while receiving Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, at his residence in Abuja.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said interfaith dialogue remains the best approach to tackling the country’s security challenges.
“My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths. 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,” the President said.
Tinubu also praised the Catholic Church for its contributions to education, healthcare and humanitarian services, noting that this informed his decision to return mission schools to their original owners during his tenure as Lagos State governor.
He said his administration was committed to guaranteeing freedom of worship, adding that more resources were being deployed to strengthen security through intensified surveillance and investments in young people to prevent radicalisation.
“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us, and the country is benefiting from it,” he added.
Speaking during the visit, Archbishop Gallagher said he was in Nigeria to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See.
He described Nigeria as “the heart of Africa” with one of the continent’s most vibrant Catholic communities and commended President Tinubu’s efforts to promote peace through military operations.
The Archbishop also conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s attendance at his inauguration and expressed optimism about stronger ties between Nigeria and the Holy See.
