President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting religious harmony among all faiths, saying Nigeria would continue to work closely with religious leaders to deepen peace, tolerance, and national cohesion across the country.
The President made the pledge while receiving the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, at his residence in Abuja. The Vatican envoy was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the president praised the Pope’s Leo XIV global peace initiatives and recalled leading Nigeria’s delegation to his inauguration.
“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.
“I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace. We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”
The visit by Gallagher coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting religious harmony, saying dialogue among faiths remained essential to addressing the country’s security challenges.
“My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths,” he said.
“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 his government remained committed to protecting freedom of worship and acknowledged the Catholic Church’s role in expanding access to education, healthcare and humanitarian services across Nigeria.
He also told the Vatican delegation that additional resources were being deployed to improve security and prevent young people from being recruited by extremist groups.
Gallagher described Nigeria as a strategic partner for the Holy See because of its large Catholic population and conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s attendance at the papal inauguration.
He also commended Nigeria’s efforts to promote peace and thanked the government for its cooperation with the Catholic Church, including facilitating visas for bishops and supporting the Church’s activities.
Gallagher said he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s new ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks and expressed confidence that exchanges between the Vatican and Nigeria would continue to deepen
