President Bola Tinubu recently engaged in a significant diplomatic and religious dialogue, holding a closed-door meeting with the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on a Friday. The Sultan, who holds the esteemed position of President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), was a central figure in discussions that, while not fully disclosed to the public, were understood to underscore critical national priorities.

This high-level engagement was not an isolated event but part of a broader initiative by President Tinubu to foster religious harmony and strengthen national unity. It notably followed another important meeting days earlier, where President Tinubu met with the Archbishop of the Abuja Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama. Both meetings aimed at promoting interfaith understanding and advancing the collective development of the nation.

Adding to the significance of the meeting with the Sultan were the attendees; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, were also present. Their presence highlighted the national importance and multifaceted nature of the discussions.

The dialogue between President Tinubu and Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III took place amidst a charged national and international atmosphere. There is an ongoing debate surrounding claims of religious persecution within Nigeria. Furthermore, the meeting occurred shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump made contentious remarks, accusing the Nigerian government of complicity in attacks on Christians and even threatening potential action against Nigeria. These external pressures likely formed an unspoken backdrop to the crucial discussions on peace and security.

Following their closed-door discussions, the Sultan joined President Tinubu for the traditional Juma’at prayer at the State House Mosque. During the prayer, Imam Abdulwaheed Abubakar delivered a poignant message, appealing to all Nigerians to lend their unwavering support to the government’s strenuous efforts aimed at ensuring peace and bolstering national security. He eloquently articulated that peace is not merely a desirable state but an absolute prerequisite for both the sustained growth of individuals and the holistic development of the Nigerian nation.