…Meets Obi, Fayemi at Pope’s inauguration in Vatican
…Reiterates commitment to national cohesion amid diverse faiths
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his dedication to national unity, religious tolerance, and interfaith harmony, stating that Nigeria’s greatest strength lies in its diversity. He made the remarks on Sunday while speaking with journalists following his attendance at the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV at St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
Tinubu attended the ceremony at the personal invitation of the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, who was formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. Reflecting on the occasion, the President said Nigeria’s unity is a continuous endeavour that requires collective nurturing.
“It is consistent in the true sense of unity in diversity, and I am greatly honoured,” Tinubu said. “We have to continue to work on it, it’s a work in progress for the sake of our country and the continent as a whole.”
The event marked the formal commencement of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, following his election by the College of Cardinals 27 days after the death of Pope Francis. The new Pope has longstanding personal ties to Nigeria, having previously served at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s. This connection reportedly influenced his decision to extend a personal invitation to President Tinubu.
One of the most notable moments of the day came during an impromptu and warm exchange between President Tinubu and two prominent opposition figures, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Fayemi spotted the President among the dignitaries and encouraged Obi to join him in greeting Tinubu.
In a moment of levity, Fayemi remarked, “Mr President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”
To which Tinubu responded with humour: “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation.”
Obi replied with a laugh: “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”
Both Obi and Fayemi, who are devout Catholics and Papal knights, were in attendance to witness the historic ceremony, signalling a shared national reverence for the Catholic Church that surpasses political divisions.
President Tinubu’s delegation included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos; and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese.
Speaking on the symbolic value of the President’s presence at the Vatican, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, “I think it’s very symbolic and indicative of the great solidarity that he continues to show, not just to the Muslim community, but to the entire Christian community. He has demonstrated this solidarity with the millions of Catholics in Nigeria by attending this Mass, despite being a Muslim himself.”
She continued, “This also reflects his commitment to advancing peace not just within Africa, but globally as well. The Pope is deeply committed to the restoration of peace in Ukraine and Gaza, goals that are equally important to President Tinubu.”
Addressing the personal nature of the invitation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, “You must also consider the personal element. The Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Parolin, extended this invitation to President Tinubu on behalf of the Pope, who is a member of the Augustinian Order and spent considerable time in Nigeria.
“The new pontiff has a strong personal connection to Nigeria, and it was important to him that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria attend this significant ceremony.”
Onanuga added that Tinubu’s presence at the Vatican conveyed a broader message of inclusion and unity.
“The President has shown that he respects all religions and believes in interfaith harmony. This is evident not just in his words, but in his appointments. I read somewhere that about 62% of his cabinet are Christians, which speaks volumes about the kind of leader he is.”
He went on, “By accepting the Pope’s invitation and attending this event, the President is reinforcing the message that, regardless of whether we are Christians or Muslims, we are all worshipping the same God. Despite our different faith traditions, we share a common humanity.”
Ademola Oshodi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, also reflected on the global significance of Tinubu’s attendance. “It shows that a Muslim president can be embraced and is open-minded enough to represent the entire country. He symbolises not only the Muslim population but Christians as well, and this challenges the narrative of a perpetual religious divide in Nigeria.”
He concluded, “The Vatican’s decision to invite President Tinubu speaks volumes. It demonstrates that religious freedom exists and is acknowledged at the highest levels of leadership in Nigeria.”
President Tinubu is scheduled to return to Abuja on Tuesday, 20 May.
