President Bola Tinubu has called on religious leaders across Nigeria to actively promote peace between faiths and strongly condemn extremism and violence.
He made these remarks during the opening of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Ikot Ekpene on Sunday.
The President was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. In his address, he described faith-based organisations as essential to building peace, unity, and moral strength across the nation.
He praised the Catholic Church and other religious groups for their significant contributions to education, healthcare, and social welfare, particularly in remote and underserved parts of the country.
“The Catholic Church has been a credible partner in the journey towards national renewal. Your investments in education, health, and social welfare—often in remote and underserved communities—speak louder than words. You have stood with the people in times of hardship, provided comfort in times of grief, and raised your voice against injustice and corruption,” Tinubu stated.
He urged clerics to continue speaking out against hatred, division, and extremism to help achieve genuine national unity.
The President also reassured the public that his administration is addressing the root causes of insecurity and social unrest, such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality. He referred to recent economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates, as necessary steps to stabilise the economy and create a stronger foundation for future growth.
Tinubu called on religious leaders to support government efforts to improve security, expand social investment programmes, strengthen agriculture, and upgrade national infrastructure.
“Our efforts in tackling insecurity, expanding social investment programmes, strengthening agriculture and revitalising infrastructure are all geared towards creating an enabling environment for Nigerians to live in peace and fulfil their God-given potential,” he said.
Nigeria is a religiously diverse country, with approximately 46 per cent of the population being Christian and 46 per cent Muslim, according to a 2023 report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Against a history of periodic religious conflict, the Federal Government has frequently acknowledged the important role religious leaders play in promoting peace and reducing tension.
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