President Bola Tinubu has called on religious and spiritual leaders across Nigeria to consistently speak out against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.
Tinubu made the call on Sunday in Kano in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani. In a statement by Akume’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, the President said religious leaders had an important role to play in confronting violence, extremism and the manipulation of faith for destructive purposes.
The President urged religious institutions and networks to intensify advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the moral development of young people. He also called on religious leaders to promote justice, responsibility, compassion and peaceful approaches to resolving grievances.
The President urged religious institutions and networks to intensify advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the moral development of young people. He also called on religious leaders to promote justice, responsibility, compassion and peaceful approaches to resolving grievances.
Tinubu said religious leaders must consistently condemn the killing of innocent people, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry, stressing that genuine religious devotion could never justify the destruction of human life. He also urged them to remind political leaders of their responsibilities while encouraging citizens not to turn legitimate grievances into justification for lawlessness or violence.
The President said the Maulud was taking place amid growing global challenges, including armed conflicts, uncertainty, climate and food crises, violent extremism, terrorism, transnational crime and the manipulation of identity and religion. Citing a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees report, he said 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced globally at the end of 2025.
According to Tinubu, the scale of these challenges has made spiritual leaders increasingly important because of their ability to influence communities, heal divisions, resolve grievances and address deep-seated hatred and bitterness. He particularly highlighted the Tijjaniyya community’s extensive networks across West Africa, North Africa and other parts of the world.
The President said the Tijjaniyya could use its influence to support reconciliation, counter violent extremism, guide young people and provide humanitarian assistance. He added that the Federal Government recognised the contributions of religious and traditional leaders to promoting tolerance, combating misinformation and identity-based divisions, strengthening grassroots peacebuilding and fostering peaceful coexistence.
Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, counter-terrorism, maritime security, economic integration and dialogue. He noted that Nigeria’s strategic position linking West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Gulf of Guinea and the wider Atlantic region meant that instability in the country could have consequences beyond its borders.
He said partnerships between government and religious communities should be built around truthfulness, compassion, justice, restraint, service and respect for the sanctity of human life. Tinubu also assured Nigerians that his administration would continue to protect freedom of worship while strengthening collaboration with religious and traditional institutions to promote peace, mutual respect and national cohesion.
The President welcomed the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, as well as scholars, spiritual leaders and other participants who travelled from Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and other countries for the Maulud. He described Nigeria as a country where the Tijjaniyya tradition has deep roots in scholarship, remembrance, service, moral instruction and peaceful community life.
Tinubu also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who died in November 2025 and whose foundation played a significant role in organising the Maulud. He described the Islamic scholar as a teacher, father and advocate of moderation, reason, peace and piety.
The President urged members of the Tijjaniyya community to preserve Sheikh Dahiru’s legacy through Qur’anic scholarship, moral instruction, devotion to Allah, respect for learning, peaceful coexistence and concern for society. He also commended the Supreme Council of the Tijjaniyya, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, Kano State Government, traditional rulers, security and emergency
services, organisers and volunteers for their contributions to the event.
Tinubu’s appeal came amid renewed debate over the role of religious leaders in Nigeria’s governance and political affairs. On July 28, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, led by Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, met with the President and raised concerns about the country’s security and economic situation.
Following the meeting, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, criticised what he described as a “rosy picture” of the country being presented to the President by some people around him. He also warned that the government appeared determined to win future elections “by all means.”
The comments generated public debate over the involvement of religious leaders in governance and politics, with some members of the Presidency and Federal Government accusing the cleric of partisanship.
