Tinubu Hosts Sant’Egidio Founder at the Villa, Vows to Use Interfaith Dialogue as a Weapon for National Peace

President Bola Tinubu has once again placed religious harmony at the center of his national agenda, declaring that Nigeria’s pluralistic nature is a source of strength rather than a cause for division. Hosting Professor Andrea Riccardi, the world-renowned founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, at the State House on Monday, the President reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to build bridges across faith lines to ensure lasting stability.

The meeting, which featured high-ranking cabinet members and prominent religious leaders like CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, served as a platform for Tinubu to showcase Nigeria as a “State of Harmony” where over 250 ethnic nationalities coexist. The President noted that in an increasingly polarized world, Nigeria must lead by example in promoting tolerance and mutual respect.

“Diversity remains our source of strength for national cohesion,” President Tinubu stated. He emphasized that the collaboration between the government and international peacebuilding organizations like Sant’Egidio is critical to tackling the root causes of social tension and insecurity.

Professor Riccardi, whose organization has a storied history of mediating peace in war-torn regions across Africa and Europe, pledged to deepen the Community’s engagement with Nigeria. He praised the Federal Government’s efforts to modernize its counter-terrorism strategies while maintaining a focus on humanitarian and interfaith outreach.

Adding their voices to the discussion, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama and other faith leaders commended the government for its inclusive approach to governance. They noted that sustained dialogue is the most effective “non-kinetic” tool for addressing the country’s security challenges.

As the government continues to roll out its “Renewed Hope” reforms, this diplomatic visit signals that the administration is banking on “spiritual diplomacy” to heal old wounds and forge a more united front against extremism.