Nigerian religious leaders call for dialogue, reject hate speech

Nigeria's top Muslim and Christian leaders have issued a joint call for national unity, urging citizens to reject hate speech and instead embrace dialogue. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stressed that the country's rich religious diversity should be a foundation for peace, not a catalyst for division.

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Religious leaders have a sacred responsibility to use their influence to foster peace rather than deepen divisions.

Their appeal was made at the launch of the Interfaith Code of Conduct (ICoC) in Abuja. This new framework is designed to combat hate speech, foster responsible religious leadership, and strengthen peaceful coexistence amid rising concerns over polarizing rhetoric and violence.

The Sultan, represented by Professor Muhammad Isah Maishanu, highlighted the sacred duty of faith leaders to promote peace. He warned that hate speech and inflammatory language fuel conflicts and urged leaders to champion tolerance and mutual respect. The Interfaith Code of Conduct, he noted, offers a practical guide for enhancing cooperation between Christians and Muslims.

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Dialogue remains the most effective tool for resolving differences.

Archbishop Okoh, represented by Archbishop Benebo Fubara-Manuel, described the Code's launch as a significant milestone in Nigeria's peacebuilding efforts. He emphasized that the initiative reflects a shared commitment by Christian and Muslim leaders to address the underlying causes of violence and intolerance. Okoh urged leaders to translate the Code's principles into tangible actions through sermons, community engagement, and peace initiatives, rather than letting them remain mere ideals. He also called for support from government institutions, civil society, traditional rulers, and the media, asserting that building a peaceful nation requires collective effort.

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The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Christian and Muslim leaders to fostering harmony and addressing the root causes of violence and intolerance across the country.