Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace unity, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence as indispensable foundations for national security, stability and sustainable development, warning that divisions along religious or ethnic lines pose serious risks to the country’s collective future. The President made the call on Monday at the 4th International Conference of the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue held at Bayero University, Kano, a gathering that brought together scholars, clerics and policymakers to reflect on faith, governance and national cohesion.
President Tinubu was represented at the conference by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who delivered the President’s address to participants drawn from across Nigeria and beyond. In his message, the President commended the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue and the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna for their sustained commitment to dialogue as a tool for fostering peace, understanding and national unity in a country marked by deep diversity.
He described the conference as an important platform that continues to uphold the ideals of Nigeria’s peace and unity through constructive engagement. According to him, dialogue remains one of the most powerful instruments for bridging divides and countering narratives of intolerance, particularly at a time when insecurity and social tension challenge the nation’s cohesion. He expressed appreciation for the invitation to the event, noting that such forums are vital to reinforcing shared national values.
The President said the focus of the conference on the legacy of the late Sheikh Mahmud Abubakar Gummi was timely and instructive. He noted that Sheikh Gummi, a renowned Islamic scholar, played a significant role in promoting national unity during some of the most delicate moments in Nigeria’s history. According to President Tinubu, Sheikh Gummi understood the complex intersection of faith and politics and worked closely with national authorities in the aftermath of independence and the civil war to promote oneness, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
President Tinubu described Sheikh Gummi as a distinguished scholar, reformer and national figure whose influence extended far beyond religious circles. He said the late cleric was not only a teacher and spiritual leader but also an advisor and a prolific writer who mentored generations of Nigerians to believe in the indivisibility of the country, both in civic life and in worship. In his view, Sheikh Gummi’s legacy offers enduring lessons on how faith can be harnessed to strengthen, rather than fracture, national unity.
Addressing contemporary challenges, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to reject narratives that portray the country as intolerant of religious freedom or hostile to diversity. He cautioned that such portrayals, whether driven by ignorance or deliberate mischief, undermine national morale and fuel mistrust among communities. He stressed the need for citizens to strengthen their collective resolve to build a more united nation grounded in mutual respect and understanding.
The President underscored that national security is inseparably linked to unity and peaceful coexistence among citizens. According to him, no security architecture, no matter how sophisticated, can succeed in an environment where suspicion, hatred and division thrive. He said Nigeria’s safety and progress depend on togetherness and respect for religious diversity, urging Nigerians to forge a united front against forces that seek to divide the country for selfish or destructive ends.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, President Tinubu said the federal government remains resolute in confronting criminality and terrorism across the country. He noted that significant resources and strategic attention are being deployed to strengthen security operations, improve intelligence gathering and enhance the capacity of security agencies to respond swiftly and effectively to threats.
As part of these efforts, the President disclosed that more than 7,000 trained forest guards have been deployed nationwide to deny criminals access to forest corridors often used as hideouts and transit routes. He explained that the initiative is aimed at closing long-standing security gaps, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where banditry and insurgent activities have flourished. He added that efforts are also ongoing to entrench community policing through state policing, in line with constitutional processes, to bring security closer to the people.
President Tinubu recalled that following the declaration of a national security emergency in November 2025, security operations were expanded and reinforced in states most affected by banditry and terrorism. He said intelligence-led operations have since been optimised to disrupt and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks, while ensuring that the protection of civilians remains a central priority.
The President also highlighted Nigeria’s security cooperation with the United States, describing it as strategic and focused on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and the protection of vulnerable communities. He emphasised that the partnership respects Nigeria’s sovereignty and is operationally led by Nigerian troops, with the overarching goal of strengthening the country’s capacity to confront evolving security threats.
In his concluding remarks, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to uphold shared values of tolerance, compassion and peaceful coexistence, describing unity as the bedrock of lasting peace and development. He said that while differences in faith, culture and opinion are inevitable in a plural society, they must never be allowed to overshadow the collective identity and destiny that bind Nigerians together.
The conference was attended by leading Islamic scholars and prominent figures, including Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, National Chairman of the Jama’atul Izalatul Bidi’a Wa’Ikamatul Sunnah, Professor Shehu Ahmad Galadanci, Chief Imam of Kano State, and the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Haruna Musa. Participants emphasised the importance of sustained interfaith dialogue in addressing Nigeria’s social and security challenges and in building a more inclusive and peaceful nation.
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