First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged Christian leaders and organisations across Nigeria to strengthen national unity, promote peaceful coexistence and demonstrate Christian values through their daily conduct and engagement with society.
She made the call on Wednesday while addressing the Lausanne Nigeria Congress 2026, a three-day gathering of church leaders, missionaries and Christian organisations in Abuja, attended by more than 5,000 delegates from across the country.
The First Lady’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, titled, ‘The gospel we proclaim must shape the life we live and influence the lives of others – First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.’
Tinubu said the Church had an important role to play in addressing social challenges, strengthening families, mentoring young people and fostering communities where people could live together in peace and dignity.
“The Church in Nigeria has a vital responsibility to nurture hope and compassion, strengthen families, mentor our young people, encourage peaceful coexistence and help build communities where every person is treated with dignity,” she said.
She noted that the congress theme, ‘Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together,’ was particularly relevant to the country’s present circumstances and reflected the Great Commission given to Christians by Jesus Christ.
According to her, preaching the gospel must go beyond words to include actions that demonstrate Christ’s teachings and positively influence the lives of others.
“To declare Christ is to share the message of His love, His sacrifice and the free gift of salvation He offers. The Gospel we proclaim must shape the life we live and influence the lives of others. To display Christ is to allow His character to be seen in our lives,” the First Lady said, citing Matthew 5:16.
She challenged participants to ensure that the discussions and resolutions reached at the congress translated into practical initiatives within their churches and the wider society.
Tinubu urged the delegates to return to their respective communities with a renewed commitment to evangelism, compassion and service to humanity.
“Let us leave here with renewed conviction to declare Christ faithfully, display His love consistently and fulfil our calling together,” she added.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of Lausanne Nigeria Christian Missions, Yunusa Nmadu, said the Church must complement its prayers for the country with actions that reflect the teachings and character of Christ.
Nmadu urged Christian denominations to overcome divisions arising from denominational affiliations, tribal identities and ethnic differences, stressing the need for unity within the body of Christ.
“The Nigerian Lausanne Congress in Abuja serves as a call for the unified Nigerian church to both proclaim the gospel and embody Christian values through social action,” he said.
He also expressed concern over what he described as a decline in the Church’s influence despite significant growth in its membership over the past two decades.
Similarly, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria of the Anglican Communion, Henry Ndukuba, called for greater unity and a shared sense of purpose among Christian denominations.
Ndukuba, who also chairs the Board of Trustees of Lausanne Nigeria Christian Missions, stressed the importance of Christians working together, noting that denominational divisions would not exist in heaven.
The congress also featured prayers for Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, political and public office holders at all levels, as well as a peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
The Lausanne Movement was founded by American evangelist Billy Graham and held its first international congress on world evangelisation in Lausanne, Switzerland, in July 1974.
The movement continues to organise international gatherings aimed at strengthening Christian evangelism and cooperation among churches worldwide.
