Promote tolerance: Federal Govt tells clerics, monarchs

Akume noted that understanding one another’s beliefs and practices remains essential for building trust and sustaining peace.

The SGF said the role of NIREC has become increasingly important in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among the country’s diverse religious communities.

He warned that Nigeria, like many parts of the world, continues to grapple with challenges fuelled by stereotypes, misinformation, insecurity and identity-based divisions.

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

The SGF noted that such challenges were often worsened by political and economic manipulation, leading to violence and hostility in communities.

He maintained that the government’s responsibility was not to politicise religion or encourage intolerance, but to strengthen citizenship, understanding and responsibility among Nigerians.

Akume also stressed that while religious studies already form part of the nation’s school curriculum, emphasis should now shift towards improving the quality of teaching through better teacher preparation, effective learning materials and classroom values that promote empathy, respect and responsible citizenship.

Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, advised Nigerians not to associate bandits with Islam.

The Sultan said linking Islam to terrorism is a misrepresentation of the religion.

He urged the government to unleash the full weight of the law on bandits to restore peace, unity, and development in affected communities.

Speaking as co-chairman at the first council meeting of the NIREC with the themed; “Religious Literacy for National Cohesion,” the Sultan said ignorance, illiteracy, and poor religious understanding, particularly among some Islamic leaders, are key factors fueling crises in Nigerian communities often linked to religion.

He said: “Let’s give bandits and terrorists their rightful names and treat them as such. We should stop calling them Islamic terrorists, even if they may be Muslims. In Islam, if you take one life, it is like taking the life of all humanity. The Holy Book refers to humanity, not Muslims or Christians alone.

“You cannot go to the market strapped with explosives, kill yourself and others while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar,’ and expect heaven. Such a person’s place is hell, not paradise. Terrorists and bandits are criminals, and we should treat them as such, not as Muslim criminals or Muslim bandits.”

He also noted that some individuals assume religious authority simply because they can speak Arabic. According to him, proficiency in Arabic does not equate to Islamic knowledge.

“Arabic is a language, not a certificate of Islamic scholarship. Even Christians in Jordan and other Arab countries use Arabic in their religious practices because it is the language of the community,” he said.

The Sultan stressed that religious clerics must be sufficiently educated to speak responsibly about both Islam and Christianity, noting that both faiths share common values.

“We must engage one another with trust, confidence, and honesty. The fear that Muslims plan to decimate the Christian population in Nigeria should be disregarded. More Muslims are killed in this wave of terrorism. When violence occurs in places like Benue or Plateau, Christians are often the victims because they are the majority there. In places like Maiduguri, Kebbi, or Sokoto, more Muslims are killed because they form the majority.”

Responding to criticism that Muslim leaders have not spoken out enough, he said: “I have repeatedly condemned these acts in various fora, including statements through the NSCIA and JNI. But some still say it is not enough. Do they expect us to go to the market shouting like mad people? We cannot do that. We speak less publicly but work diligently behind the scenes.

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who serves as NIREC co-chairman, described Nigeria as a nation of immense ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity, stressing that such diversity can be a source of strength if properly harnessed, but a source of division if misunderstood or manipulated.

He said: “Religious literacy is not just academic knowledge of doctrines or rituals. It involves awareness, sensitivity, and respect for others’ beliefs and practices. It equips individuals and communities to engage constructively across differences, challenge stereotypes, and resist divisive narratives. It is a tool for building bridges of understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.”

Archbishop Okoh noted that NIREC has remained a vital platform for dialogue, conflict resolution, and mutual understanding among faith communities.

“Despite our differences, we share common values, peace, justice, human dignity, and national well-being. Yet tensions persist, often framed as religious even when their root causes are social, economic, or political.”

He called for religious literacy to be integrated into education, public discourse, and community engagement. “Our schools must not only teach faith but also foster respect for others. Places of worship should promote peace, unity, and responsible citizenship.”

He reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to working with Muslim communities and all people of goodwill to build a nation where diversity is respected and every citizen feels safe and valued.