A coalition of prominent Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders from across Nigeria issued a powerful, unified message to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, the 9th of December, 2025, asserting that the dramatically “worsening insecurity has now become a national emergency and his responsibility to fix.”
The leaders made this unequivocal demand at the Interfaith Dialogue on Religious Freedom and Human Security in Abuja, an event orchestrated by the Global Peace Foundation (Nigeria).
While acknowledging that “Nigeria’s problem predate President Tinubu,” the leaders stressed that he now carries the “constitutional and moral duty to fix it.” They also directed pointed criticism at the legislative arm, stating that the National Assembly “has little moral ground to legislate” if the communities that elected its members “are being overrun by extremists.”
The distinguished group included Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Sheikh Nurudeen Lemu, Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba of CAN, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, Archbishop Sunday Onuoha, Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka, and the Emirs of Bangudu and Doma, among others.
The participants issued a joint condemnation of violence, declaring, “Every human life is sacred and must be protected. We condemn all killings, kidnappings, and targeted attacks across Nigeria.” Speakers reiterated that no religion endorses violence, urging religious leaders to unify, protect human dignity, and prevent extremists from “twisting faith for harmful purposes.”
Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka delivered a compelling keynote address, describing the ongoing community violence as “a national and spiritual emergency.” He warned with gravity: “When a Nigerian is killed, the entire nation bleeds. When a child is kidnapped, the whole nation is kidnapped,” while underscoring that all faith traditions teach respect for life. Citing scripture, he affirmed: “Whoever kills a single soul, it is as if he has killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity.”
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the Global Peace Foundation’s Country Director, described the event as a move to reinforce unity, noting, “Today’s gathering is more than a meeting; it is a testament to our shared resolve to uphold freedom of religion or belief.”
The official communiqué was clear regarding the leadership’s primary focus: “Nigeria’s problem predate President Tinubu, however, as the president of the day, the bulk of the job lies on his table.” It continued with a direct message to the executive: “The president should realise that everything that will be done will be meaningless if we don’t tackle the issue of insecurity in the Country.”
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A similar warning was issued to lawmakers: “Similarly, members of the national assembly should also realise that we will have no job to do if their constituencies are consumed by insecurity and violence.”
The leaders also stressed the citizens’ role, acknowledging that “Nigerians should realise that our problems are self-made… No one from outside can genuinely solve it.”
The dialogue concluded with concrete resolutions to strengthen local peace committees, enhance early-warning systems, support trauma healing, and specifically promote peace messages to youth and women. Archbishop Sunday Onuoha advised the government to seek foreign assistance where necessary but cautioned: “If we can borrow funds from other parts of the world, we can also seek help. But in seeking that help, our sovereignty must be respected.”
Furthermore, the attendees agreed to establish a Joint Interfaith Advocacy Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, push for a National FoRB Commission, hold quarterly follow-up meetings, and diligently document all instances of violence and hate speech.