By Ayodele Oni
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has said that Nigeria’s security problem is complex and called for a more balanced international understanding of the situation.
She warned that distorted narratives risk undermining efforts to achieve lasting peace.
She made the appeal on Thursday during a meeting in Abuja with former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, where discussions focused on interfaith dialogue and strategies to strengthen national cohesion.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady emphasised that Nigeria’s challenges are complex and require deep interpretation.
“The world must get the right perspective of the various challenges in the nation to be able to proffer appropriate solutions,” she said, adding that meaningful conflict resolution depends on listening to all sides.
Mrs Tinubu cautioned against one-sided assessments of Nigeria’s security landscape, arguing that such approaches hinder genuine understanding and effective intervention.
She also underscored the importance of involving security agencies in interfaith engagements, noting that their participation would provide critical insight into ongoing efforts to stabilise the country.
While acknowledging persistent security pressures, the First Lady praised the Armed Forces for their continued sacrifices and urged religious institutions worldwide to promote values that encourage peaceful coexistence.
“The Church needs to preach right so that people can live right,” she said.
Welby, in his remarks, said his visit formed part of broader efforts to advance peace-building initiatives and reinforce Nigeria’s reputation as a nation committed to freedom of worship.
He disclosed that a new round of interfaith dialogue is scheduled to take place in London under the auspices of the Global Forum for Peace, led by Abdallah bin Bayyah.
According to him, the forum will convene 12 Christian and 12 Muslim leaders to engage in structured dialogue aimed at addressing interfaith tensions, both within Nigeria and globally.
“We want to contribute to what Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing to promote peace. All we are after is enduring peace,” Welby said, noting that his visit also sought to lay the groundwork for meaningful deliberations.
The cleric was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery.
The meeting follows President Tinubu’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom, during which the First Lady participated in interfaith engagements, including a church service at Lambeth Palace.
In a separate engagement, the First Lady received Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who briefed her on progress under the government’s Girls in Tech initiative.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Tijani said Mrs Tinubu is set to host a dinner in Abuja to showcase innovations developed by participants in the programme.
He also revealed that she has agreed to serve as the face of a new campaign aimed at expanding internet access and deepening digital connectivity, particularly in rural and riverine communities.
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