President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the Holy See of his administration’s continued dedication to fostering interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance across Nigeria, describing the approach as indispensable to overcoming the nation’s security challenges.
The President made the commitment on Saturday during a meeting with Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, at his official residence in Abuja.
The archbishop was accompanied by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Tinubu, who traced his long-standing ties with the Catholic Church to his tenure as Lagos State governor, highlighted his administration’s focus on collaboration with religious institutions, particularly in the critical sectors of education and healthcare.
He noted that his decision to return mission schools to their original owners shortly after assuming office as governor reflected his deep-seated belief in the Church’s developmental role.
“I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV. It was a moment of history,” Tinubu said, referencing his attendance at the pontiff’s installation.
He expressed optimism about hosting the Pope in Nigeria in the future, emphasising the spiritual influence the Vatican wields globally.
The President also addressed the importance of unity, pointing to his personal family as a testament to Nigeria’s capacity for religious coexistence. “As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church. This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.
On security, Tinubu acknowledged the progress made by the Nigerian military, while cautioning that sustained effort is needed to protect gains already achieved.
He disclosed that additional resources are being channeled into surveillance operations, particularly in areas previously considered ungoverned. He further stressed that his government is investing in youth development to curb the appeal of radicalisation and prevent exploitation by terrorist groups.
Archbishop Gallagher, who is in Nigeria to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic and the Holy See, commended the President’s peace initiatives. He described Nigeria as the “heart of Africa” and a cornerstone of the Catholic Church’s activities on the continent.
The Vatican envoy also shared his impressions of Veritas University, which was established by the Catholic community in Abuja, and praised the Nigerian government for its responsiveness to the Church’s operational needs, including facilitating visas for bishops.
He assured President Tinubu that the Holy See anticipates receiving Nigeria’s new ambassador in the coming weeks, adding that the visit marks the beginning of a series of high-level engagements between both sides.
The meeting was also attended by Archbishop Michael F. Crotty, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo of the Apostolic Nunciature.
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