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By Ayo Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting inter-religious dialogue as a key strategy to address Nigeria’s security challenges, while extending a formal invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit the country.
The President made the declaration on Saturday, receiving at his residence in Abuja Monsignor Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See.
The Vatican envoy was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, during the visit, which coincided with activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Holy See.
The Nigerian leader said that constant engagement between religious leaders and communities remains indispensable to promote peace, national unity and social cohesion, underlining that interreligious dialogue offers the most effective response to the country’s persistent security threats.
“Inter-religious dialogue is the only way to address the country’s security challenges,” President Tinubu said.
He noted that religious leaders continued to play a significant role in promoting peaceful coexistence despite the country’s diverse religious landscape.
The President also took the opportunity to praise Pope Leo XIV’s global support for peace, recalling his presence at the Pontiff’s inauguration in the Vatican, where he led the official Nigerian delegation.
“I appreciate the Pope. It was an honor for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV. It was a historic moment. I see his efforts around the world to promote world peace.
“We need his spiritual commitment, as millions of people around the world admire him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
He appealed to Catholic bishops and other religious leaders to remain steadfast in their efforts to promote understanding, tolerance and harmony across the country.
“My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths. Our bishops and religious leaders have done a lot. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot go too far,” he added.
Reflecting on his relationship with the Catholic Church, Tinubu recalled his tenure as governor of Lagos State, when he returned mission schools to their original owners after decades of government control established during military rule.
According to him, the decision was motivated by his confidence in the ability of religious institutions to provide quality education and social services.
“I understand the role the Catholic Church has played in expanding the frontiers of education, healthcare and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting freedom of religion and ensuring that every Nigerian can practice their faith without fear or discrimination.
“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may know, my wife is a pastor in an evangelical church. This minimizes the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country could have taken on,” he said.
Addressing the nation’s security situation, Tinubu assured the Vatican envoy that the Armed Forces have achieved significant operational advantages against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in various theaters of operations.
He acknowledged, however, that isolated incidents could undermine public confidence if not managed effectively, underlining that his administration remains committed to building on recent progress.
The President revealed that additional resources are being directed to the security sector to strengthen intelligence collection, surveillance operations and military capabilities, particularly in areas previously ungoverned and exploited by terrorist groups.
He further explained that the government is investing heavily in youth empowerment and economic opportunities to reduce the vulnerability of Nigerian youth to recruitment by extremist organisations.
Previously, Archbishop Gallagher had described Nigeria as one of the Holy See’s most important partners in Africa, citing its large Catholic population and the influential role played by Nigerian bishops within the global Church.
He said his visit was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, while conveying Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation to President Tinubu for attending his inauguration.
The Archbishop praised the remarkable development of Veritas University in Abuja, describing it as a testament to the Catholic Church’s enduring commitment to promoting education in Nigeria.
Describing Nigeria as “the heart of Africa,” Gallagher praised the country’s vibrant Catholic community and recognized the significant contribution of Nigerian bishops to the growth of the Church across the continent.
He also commended President Tinubu’s efforts to promote peace through ongoing military operations against insecurity, urging the government to sustain its efforts to restore stability nationwide.
Gallagher expressed appreciation to the federal government for facilitating visa procedures for Catholic bishops and for maintaining constructive engagement with the Church on issues affecting its operations.
He informed the President that the Holy See looks forward to receiving the Ambassador of Nigeria to the Vatican in the coming weeks and expressed optimism that his visit could herald a new phase of strong diplomatic and ecclesiastical relations between the two States.
Also present at the meeting were Archbishop Michael F. Crotty, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, and the Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, official of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See.
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