• Says religious leaders must counter extremism, promote peace, guide youths
President Bola Tinubu has called on religious and spiritual leaders across the country to intensify their efforts against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.
The President made the call on Sunday in Kano during the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani, where he urged clerics to use their influence to promote peace, tolerance, justice and responsible citizenship.
Tinubu, who was represented at the gathering by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said religious institutions had an important role to play in confronting violent extremism and the manipulation of faith for destructive purposes.
According to a statement issued by the President’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, Tinubu urged religious leaders to strengthen peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and moral instruction, particularly among young people.
The President said, “Your voices must be raised consistently against the murder of innocent people, against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty.”
He also charged religious institutions and their networks to become more active in promoting values capable of preventing radicalisation and violent extremism.
“Your institutions and networks must become stronger in the advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the formation of upright young men and women,” Tinubu said.
The President further urged clerics to encourage political leaders to embrace justice and responsibility while educating citizens that grievances, no matter how legitimate, should not be used as justification for violence.
“You must also remind political leaders of justice, responsibility and compassion, while reminding citizens that legitimate grievances must never become permission for lawlessness or violence,” he said.
Tinubu said religious teachings should consistently reinforce the sanctity of human life and discourage the use of faith as a justification for killing or destroying innocent people.
He stated, “Above all, our spiritual fathers must continue to teach that no genuine service to Allah is advanced by destroying the innocent human life that Allah has made sacred.”
The President said the Maulud was being held at a time of significant global challenges, including armed conflicts, violent extremism, terrorism, transnational crime, climate and food shocks, as well as the manipulation of religious and ethnic identities.
He cited a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, saying 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced globally at the end of 2025.
According to Tinubu, the scale of the challenges confronting communities around the world makes the intervention of religious leaders increasingly important.
He described spiritual leaders as those who “guard the frontiers of conscience”, stressing that their influence could be deployed to heal wounds, resolve grievances and address hatred and bitterness within communities.
The President particularly highlighted the influence of the Tijjaniyya Islamic order across West Africa, North Africa and other parts of the world.
He said the extensive spiritual networks of the Tijjaniyya could be deployed to support reconciliation, youth guidance, humanitarian interventions and efforts to counter violent extremism.
Tinubu said the Federal Government recognised the contributions of religious and traditional leaders to grassroots peacebuilding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
He added that such leaders could also help combat misinformation and identity-based divisions that could undermine national unity.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working with religious and traditional institutions to promote peace, mutual respect and national cohesion.
He also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation in areas including counter-terrorism, maritime security, economic integration and dialogue.
According to him, Nigeria’s strategic position within West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Gulf of Guinea and the wider Atlantic region means that instability in the country could have consequences beyond its borders.
“Our position means that peace in Nigeria has consequences far beyond Nigeria. It also means that religious communities with deep transnational connections, such as the Tijjaniyya, can be valuable partners in building an architecture of social peace that complements the work of governments and regional institutions,” he said.
Tinubu said such collaboration must be anchored on truthfulness, compassion, justice, restraint, service and respect for the sanctity of human life.
The President also assured Nigerians that his administration would continue to uphold freedom of worship while strengthening cooperation with religious and traditional institutions.
He said the partnership was necessary to promote peaceful coexistence and deepen national cohesion.
Tinubu welcomed the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, as well as scholars, spiritual leaders and other guests who travelled from Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and other countries to attend the Maulud.
He described Nigeria as a country where the Tijjaniyya tradition had developed deep roots in Islamic scholarship, remembrance, moral instruction, community service and peaceful coexistence.
The President also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who died in November 2025, and whose foundation was involved in organising the Maulud.
Tinubu described the late Islamic scholar as “a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason, and as an advocate of peace and piety.”
He urged followers and members of the Tijjaniyya community to preserve the late scholar’s legacy by sustaining his commitment to Qur’anic scholarship, moral instruction, devotion, peaceful coexistence and concern for society.
The President commended the Supreme Council of the Tijjaniyya, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, Kano State Government, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, security and emergency agencies, organisers and volunteers for their roles in the successful hosting of the gathering.
Tinubu concluded by thanking the foreign guests for attending the event and prayed for their safe return.
“Nigeria is honoured by your presence, and we pray that you return to your homes safely, carrying with you the affection and hospitality of the Nigerian people. May Almighty Allah accept the prayers and acts of devotion offered at this Maulud,” he said.
The President’s appeal comes amid continuing concerns over terrorism, kidnapping and banditry in different parts of the country, as well as renewed discussions about the role of religious leaders in national affairs.
On July 28, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, led by Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, met with the President and raised concerns about Nigeria’s security and economic situation.
Speaking after the meeting, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, criticised what he described as an overly positive presentation of the situation in the country, saying some individuals around the President were giving him a “rosy picture” of developments.
Onaiyekan also expressed concern that the government might be determined to win future elections “by all means.”
His comments subsequently generated debate over the role of religious leaders in governance and politics, with some members of the Presidency and the Federal Government accusing the cleric of partisanship.
Against that backdrop, Tinubu’s latest appeal places renewed emphasis on the role of religious institutions not only in spiritual matters but also in peacebuilding, moral education, conflict prevention and efforts to curb violent extremism.
