“Nigeria remains a nation open to friendship, grounded in faith, and committed to building bridges of understanding across the world”
Let’s Convert Our Diversity To Prosperity, Says Tinubu At Pope’s Inauguration Mass In Vatican
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace the country’s diversity as a strength for national development, urging citizens to turn it into a source of prosperity rather than division.
Speaking in Rome during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, held on the sidelines of the inauguration Mass for Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Square, Tinubu emphasized the importance of unity and inclusivity.
“If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress,” he said, according to a statement from his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu was among 30 world leaders who attended the installation of Pope Leo XIV, elected as the 267th head of the Catholic Church on May 8.
During the meeting, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, thanked Tinubu for facilitating the bishops’ visit to Rome for both the burial of Pope Francis and the installation of his successor. Ugorji, who also leads the Owerri Archdiocese, commended the President’s consistent support and extended an invitation for future engagement with the bishops’ conference in Nigeria.
Other prominent church leaders in attendance included Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto.
In a separate engagement, President Tinubu met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. The discussion focused on interfaith dialogue, global peace, and cooperation in a world grappling with religious and ideological divides.
“Our dialogue was marked by a spirit of fraternity and a shared vision for the future,” Tinubu wrote on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, @officialABAT. “I expressed Nigeria’s deep appreciation for the Vatican’s longstanding goodwill and reaffirmed our commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, tolerance and cooperation in an increasingly polarised world.”
The meeting with Cardinal Parolin reflects Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen faith-based diplomacy, especially in light of global tensions driven by ethnic and religious differences.
“Nigeria remains a nation open to friendship, grounded in faith, and committed to building bridges of understanding across the world,” Tinubu added.
The President’s visit comes as Nigeria continues to contribute to peacekeeping and religious reconciliation efforts across Africa. His presence at the Papal inauguration signals the country’s ongoing engagement with the global faith community.
Dressed in a suit and tie, President Tinubu led a delegation that included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs, Ademola Oshodi; Bayo Onanuga; and senior Nigerian Catholic clergy.
Speaking to journalists after the Mass, the President said: “This event embodies the true spirit of unity in diversity. It’s a great honour. We must continue to build on this – it’s a work in progress, for the sake of our country and the continent.”
