President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that structural security challenges within Nigeria can only be effectively resolved through deliberate interfaith dialogue. The President insisted that his administration is heavily prioritizing youth investments as a vital buffer to prevent vulnerability to radicalization and stop terrorist exploitation.
These assertions were made on Saturday, July 4, 2026, when President Tinubu received Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations. Escorted to the meeting by Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, Archbishop Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s gratitude to the Nigerian President for personally leading Nigeria’s delegation to the papal inauguration. Reflecting on this, President Tinubu stated:
“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. 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.”
Shifting the discussion to regional stabilization, the President highlighted that the Nigerian military has registered critical progress. He observed that because a solitary security lapse can erase hard-won gains, the federal government is heavily reinforcing surveillance and funneling additional resources into historically ungoverned zones. Recognizing the historic societal impact of the Catholic community, President Tinubu added:
“I understand the roles that the Catholic church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it.”
“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. 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.”
The President drew attention to his longstanding, warm ties with the Catholic Church dating back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, noting his early prioritization of returning mission schools seized by former military regimes to religious bodies. Urging continuous advocacy from the pulpit, President Tinubu remarked:
“My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths. 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. We cannot have an excess of that.”
In response, Archbishop Gallagher emphasized that Nigeria holds a highly strategic position for the Catholic Church due to its vibrant Catholic population. Describing Nigeria as the heart of the continent, the Archbishop praised the President’s military security campaigns and commended the stellar operational impact of African Bishops. He specifically lauded the impressive academic advancement of Abuja’s Veritas University, which was founded by the local Catholic community.
Concluding the high-level dialogue, Archbishop Gallagher thanked the Nigerian government for its agility in handling the Church’s administrative needs, particularly in streamlining visas for visiting bishops. He announced that he expects to formally receive the incoming Nigerian Ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks, signaling that this visit marks the beginning of several targeted diplomatic engagements from the Vatican.
The Vatican delegation also included H.E. Archbishop Michael F. Crotty, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony of the Secretariat of State; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.
President Tinubu with the Archbishop Paul R Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Relations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu received Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher and Michael F. Crotty.
