Experts Advocate Interfaith Dialogue to Counter Division, Violence in Nigeria
By Auwal Ahmad, Gombe
Concerned about rising insecurity, misinformation, and social divisions across the country, religious leaders, peacebuilding experts, and civil society organisations have called for sustained interfaith dialogue and stronger collaboration to preserve Nigeria’s unity.
The call was made on Friday during a strategic interfaith roundtable organised in Abuja by the Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) in partnership with CONCORD, a non-profit organisation focused on peacebuilding, development, and human security.
The meeting, themed “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Religious Pluralism: Faith, Dialogue, and National Cohesion”, brought together faith leaders, policy actors, community organisers, and civil society stakeholders to examine the role of dialogue and cooperation in addressing violence and strengthening national cohesion.
Participants at the forum noted that insecurity in Nigeria has continued to evolve through a combination of sectarian tensions, ethnic conflicts, organised criminality, and competition over resources. They warned that divisive narratives and misinformation could further worsen mistrust among communities.
Speaking at the event, the director-general of OSPRE, Chris Ngwodo, stressed the need for a united national response to insecurity, particularly in rural communities heavily affected by violence.
He said that sustainable peace would require inclusive approaches that address governance challenges, justice, development, and the protection of vulnerable populations.
According to him, tackling insecurity effectively would also require stronger partnerships among government institutions, faith-based groups, and civil society organisations.
Participants further highlighted the need for responsive local governance, grassroots protection, and long-term investments in programmes capable of promoting peaceful coexistence and social integration.
Fatima Madaki also spoke, stating that Nigeria’s diversity should serve as a source of strength rather than division.
She cautioned against the spread of false narratives capable of inflaming tensions, especially at a time when social media misinformation spreads rapidly.
“Nigeria’s diversity should remain a bridge for unity, not a trigger for division. Sustained interfaith dialogue, justice and collective action are essential to building peace and safeguarding national cohesion,” she said.
She urged faith leaders and civic actors to continue promoting empathy, honesty, and peaceful coexistence across communities.
Organisations represented at the dialogue included the Islamic Education Trust, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, the Center for Civilians in Conflict, the Kukah Centre, the Neem Foundation, the HumAngle Foundation, and the Center for Peace Studies and Conflict Management, among others.
The organisers reaffirmed their commitment to sustained interfaith engagement and collaborative peacebuilding efforts aimed at strengthening resilience, preserving national unity and promoting inclusive development across Nigeria.