In a powerful moment that transcended religion and politics, President Bola Tinubu met with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria during his visit to Rome for Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the papal inauguration, brought together some of Nigeria’s most revered spiritual leaders and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to interfaith harmony and national cohesion.
President Tinubu, a devout Muslim, used the occasion to deliver a message rooted in peace, purpose, and progress. Speaking to the bishops, he said: “If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress”.
His remarks come at a critical time, as Nigeria continues to grapple with security concerns, economic recovery, and calls for greater unity among its diverse population.
The President’s delegation included prominent Catholic figures such as Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos; and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto.
Archbishop Ugorji expressed appreciation for the President’s presence, noting that it marked the beginning of a new era in Church–State relations. In his words: “You are always there for us. Now that you have come to the Vatican, we will also invite you to our national conferences. This is a new era”.
The meeting, rich in both symbolism and sincerity, highlights a growing spirit of collaboration between Nigeria’s faith leaders and government — a partnership seen as essential in the on-going push for national renewal.
As President Tinubu stood shoulder-to-shoulder with clerics from across Nigeria, the message was unmistakable: leadership grounded in purpose can unite, inspire, and heal.
