NIREC tasks faith leaders with stronger role in Nigeria’s peace, integrity drive

By Jane Okeke

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, has urged Christian and Muslim leaders to use their influence to strengthen peace, promote integrity and support national development amid the security and socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria.

The message featured prominently at the Council’s 2026 second meeting in Abuja, held under the theme, “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.” President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the theme should take interfaith engagement beyond managing religious differences to practical cooperation for the common good.

Archbishop Okoh said Christians and Muslims can preserve their distinctive beliefs while drawing on shared values of love, compassion, justice, forgiveness and service to build a society where citizens can live with dignity and hope.

He identified insecurity, poverty, unemployment, inequality and a crisis of trust as major challenges facing Nigeria, urging religious institutions to build bridges, promote reconciliation and work together in areas including peacebuilding, youth development, humanitarian assistance and ethical leadership.

Speaking on the need to strengthen integrity, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said religious diversity should be harnessed to promote peace, justice and national development rather than division.

Olukoyede stressed that financial crime has no religion or tribe, noting that the diversion of public funds hurts Nigerians by depriving them of healthcare, education, infrastructure, pensions and economic opportunities.

The EFCC Chairman called on pastors and imams to discourage the celebration of unexplained wealth and promote honest labour and accountability. He also presented the EFCC Inter-Faith Manual, designed to help religious leaders communicate anti-corruption messages to their followers.

In his remarks, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation to NIREC members for their commitment to peace and national stability, while urging religious and traditional leaders to support efforts against banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and communal violence.

Akume also appealed to faith leaders to prevent political activities from fuelling religious divisions ahead of the election season, urging them to promote peaceful participation and ensure places of worship are not used by political thugs.

He disclosed plans for state-level NIREC forums involving security agencies, INEC officials and religious representatives to identify potential flashpoints, while calling for peace caravans, youth and women-led initiatives and stronger mechanisms to counter religious misinformation.

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