Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has warned that the erosion of trust between Nigeria’s major religious communities poses a grave threat to national unity, urging stronger collaboration among faith leaders to prevent conflicts and rebuild confidence.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the second triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Akume said Nigeria is in a delicate period marked by “heightened political rhetoric, internal security strains, and degraded mutual trust” that had recently “almost ebbed into religious conflict.”
He cited violent incidents in Benue, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara States, noting that the public anxiety generated by such attacks must be addressed through collective action and a balanced national narrative.
According to him, both Christian and Muslim communities have suffered devastating consequences of insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes, and it is misleading to frame the crises as affecting only one side.
“The point is not to engage in a scorecard of pain,” he cautioned, “but to underscore that violence in Nigeria is not monolithic. Both major faith groups bleed when any Nigerian is killed.”
Akume stressed that an inter-faith approach to peacebuilding is now “not only ideal but necessary” to restore confidence and prevent opportunistic actors from exploiting religious sentiments.
The SGF expressed concern over Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the U.S. government, saying the development underscored the need for deeper internal engagements to correct global misperceptions.
He said while diplomatic efforts were yielding progress, more work must be done in the short and long term.
He praised NIREC’s 26-year partnership with successive governments, describing inter-religious councils as “vital bridges” capable of dispelling misconceptions, mediating conflict, and strengthening the social fabric.
He assured that the Tinubu administration would deepen support for the council, especially as ongoing reforms begin to improve the economy.
Outlining priority areas for collaboration, Akume pointed to inclusive policymaking, early-warning conflict systems, joint peacebuilding, and promotion of justice and the rule of law.
He emphasised the education of young Nigerians to resist hate propaganda and extremist narratives.
On sovereignty, he maintained that while international cooperation is welcome, “Nigerians must work out Nigerian solutions,” adding that the government remains fully committed to protecting every community irrespective of religious affiliation.
Akume disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has established a new US–Nigeria Joint Working Group on Security in which NIREC leaders are expected to play significant roles as part of broader non-kinetic peace strategies.
He urged NIREC members to use their closed-door session to speak frankly and “reject the voices of division” in favour of justice, compassion, and unity.
“Nigeria will be stronger, better, and enjoy lasting peace if we collectively shame the peddlers of hatred and disunity,” he said.
