Akume said faith-based and traditional institutions must take the lead in fostering understanding among citizens and preventing manipulation capable of triggering violence before, during and after the polls.

The SGF made the call in Abuja while speaking at the first triannual meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) held at Rockview Hotel under the theme, “Religious Literacy for National Cohesion.”

He said with the nation approaching the end of the current political and electoral cycle, religious and traditional leaders have a moral responsibility to strengthen collaboration, youth education and peace-building efforts in their communities.

Akume said, “The 2027 general elections are fast approaching and NIREC, through our traditional and religious leaders, faith-based organisations and youth associations, has the moral responsibility for strengthening the network of collaboration, grassroots mobilisation, youth education, peaceful co-existence, tolerance, security and protection of lives and property in our communities.”

He stressed the need to eliminate all forms of manipulation capable of creating division within communities, noting that peaceful elections begin with responsible leadership at the grassroots.

The SGF said Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity makes tolerance and religious literacy essential for national cohesion, stressing that understanding one another’s beliefs and practices remains key to building trust and sustaining peace.

According to him, the role of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has become increasingly important in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities.

Akume warned that the country, like many parts of the world, continues to face serious challenges fuelled by stereotypes, misinformation, insecurity and identity-based divisions.

He said such challenges have often become triggers for violence and hostility, worsened by political and economic manipulation.

“The world today continues to encounter formidable challenges that are capable of generating conflicts. These challenges are fuelled by lack of understanding, existence of stereotypes, ineffective communication and the weaponisation of identity,” he said.

Akume said government’s responsibility is not to politicise religion or encourage intolerance but to strengthen citizenship, understanding and responsibility among Nigerians.

He noted that while religious studies already form part of the school curriculum, the priority should be improving the quality of teaching through better teacher preparation, effective learning materials and classroom values that encourage empathy, respect and responsible citizenship.

The SGF also raised concerns over insecurity in the education sector, warning that attacks on schools and prolonged closures in unsafe areas continue to worsen Nigeria’s education crisis.

He said government policies on safe schools and violence-free learning environments must be strengthened to protect children and ensure uninterrupted learning.

“A child cannot learn fraternity in fear; a nation cannot preach literacy while schools are under threat,” he said.

Akume further stressed the need for religious literacy to go hand in hand with media and information literacy, especially in an era of widespread misinformation and hate speech.

He referenced the recent launch of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute by Nigeria and UNESCO, saying citizens must be equipped to verify information and reject falsehood designed to divide society.

“Religious literacy must therefore be accompanied by media and information literacy; the discipline to verify before sharing, to question before reacting, and to reject falsehood, hate speech and incendiary narratives,” he said.

He called on schools, faith communities, universities, media organisations and traditional institutions to work together in raising a new generation of Nigerians who embrace faith, patriotism, humility and peaceful coexistence.

Akume said religious leaders remain the conscience of society and must use their influence to resolve conflicts, minimise hatred and promote truth.

He warned against the misuse of religion to justify falsehood, discrimination, violence and bloodshed, insisting that such acts undermine both faith and national unity.

The SGF disclosed that the Federal Government had already put machinery in place to support religious and traditional institutions in ensuring peace and security across communities ahead of the elections.

He added that his office would engage further with stakeholders after receiving recommendations from the NIREC meeting.

Akume urged participants at the meeting to prioritise literacy in all forms, describing it as central to peace-building, institutional trust, stability and national unity.

He expressed optimism that the deliberations of the council would produce practical solutions for strengthening tolerance and national cohesion as the country moves towards the 2027 elections.

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A critical look at Nigeria’s current political and administrative landscape reveals that Christians have never been more represented in governance. From the presidency to state governments and the legislature, Christian leaders occupy key offices that shape the nation’s direction. Nigeria has produced Christian Presidents, Vice Presidents, Senate Presidents, and Governors across several states. This reality challenges the idea of a systemic anti-Christian conspiracy or an orchestrated “genocide” agenda.

Across Nigeria, Christian influence remains strong and visible. In almost every street, there are at least two denominational churches—except perhaps in gated estates that may have one central worship center. Most government establishments also have two chapels: one for Catholics and another for Pentecostal or Protestant congregations. This structure underscores the degree of religious freedom Christians already enjoy across the nation.

The inclusiveness is even more evident within the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is an Assistant Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God—a devoted Christian who has consistently used her office to promote unity, compassion, and faith. She has opened the Villa to Christian leaders more than any First Lady in recent history. Her charitable gestures—ranging from material to financial donations—have been remarkable, all aimed at assuring Nigerians that her husband’s administration is for all citizens regardless of religion.

The Villa’s Chaplain, Rt. Revd. (Dr.) Steven Adegbite, is not just a spiritual leader but also serves as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC). His dual role grants him direct access to both the Villa and national leadership. If there truly were an organized attempt at “Christian genocide,” as some claim, he would be in the best position to raise the alarm directly to the President. The absence of such evidence speaks volumes.

This brings us to a crucial question: why is CAN advancing this narrative now?
While insecurity affects people of all faiths—Muslims, Christians, and others alike—isolating these national challenges as “Christian-only” issues risks politicizing national pain and dividing communities. There are growing concerns that certain leaders within CAN’s hierarchy may be positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, using the rhetoric of persecution to attract sympathy and political leverage.

This is a dangerous and unspiritual path. As Scripture reminds us, “You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). The Church must not become a pawn in partisan politics. It must remain a moral compass, not a megaphone for manipulation.

At this critical juncture, it is also important to highlight the role of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC)—an institution designed precisely to address issues of religious tension and misunderstanding.
NIREC is a voluntary association made up of sixty (60) members: thirty (30) Christians and thirty (30) Muslims. It was originally formed on the 11th of September, 1999, with fifty (50) members—twenty-five from each faith—but was reviewed in March 2019 to include more women and youth. The establishment of NIREC was driven by the need to respond to incessant ethno-religious crises that punctuated Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.

NIREC serves as a permanent and independent body that provides religious leaders and traditional rulers with a credible platform for dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding. It lays the foundation for sustainable peace, religious harmony, and social cohesion in the country. As such, NIREC has a major role to play in deliberating and stating the true state of religious affairs in Nigeria. Its position—grounded in inclusivity, representation, and mutual respect—should serve as a reference point in discerning truth from politically motivated narratives.

In view of this, CAN must work hand-in-hand with NIREC and other interfaith institutions to promote national unity, not deepen division. The association’s strength should be used to build bridges, not to stoke suspicion or fear.

Nigeria’s Christian community has thrived despite challenges, and its leaders have continuously shaped the nation’s destiny. The right response now is not to amplify fear, but to strengthen faith, uphold truth, and champion peace.

The Church in Nigeria stands as a beacon of hope and moral authority. But to preserve that moral capital, its leaders must separate faith from politics, conviction from ambition, and truth from propaganda.

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