Faith leaders rally Nigerians against insecurity, rising divisions

Faith leaders and peacebuilding organizations are urging for enhanced interfaith collaboration to combat rising insecurity and social divisions in Nigeria. The call emerged from a strategic roundtable in Abuja, themed “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Religious Pluralism: Faith, Dialogue and National Cohesion.” The event convened faith leaders, peace experts, community organizers, policymakers, and civil society actors.

Discussions focused on the growing narratives linking religion and violence in Nigeria, seeking methods to bolster social cohesion and national resilience. Participants emphasized the necessity of constructive engagement and coordinated responses to the root causes of insecurity and fragmentation, including governance failures, injustice, and underdevelopment.

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efforts to build resilience must prioritise the protection and empowerment of local communities while recognising the complex and interconnected nature of violence in Nigeria.

Chris Ngwodo, Director-General of the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable rural communities. He stated that sustainable peace requires inclusive strategies addressing conflict's complex origins. "Efforts to build resilience must prioritize the protection and empowerment of local communities while recognizing the complex and interconnected nature of violence in Nigeria," Ngwodo said.

Fatima Madaki, Director of Integrative Missions and Dialogue at CONCORD, underscored the need for balanced, locally driven engagement, especially amid international scrutiny of religious freedom in Nigeria. She warned that misinformation and external narratives, referencing the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” could exacerbate mistrust. "Nigeria’s strength has always rested in its diversity, our ability, despite challenges, to coexist, collaborate and build shared communities across faiths and identities," Madaki stated. "At a time when misinformation spreads rapidly across social media and external narratives can easily deepen mistrust, faith leaders and civic actors have an even greater responsibility to promote calm, justice, empathy, truth and national unity."

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Nigeria’s strength has always rested in its diversity, our ability, despite challenges, to coexist, collaborate and build shared communities across faiths and identities. At a time when misinformation spreads rapidly across social media and external narratives can easily deepen mistrust, faith leaders and civic actors have an even greater responsibility to promote calm, justice, empathy, truth and national unity.