The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has warned that rising religious intolerance, hate speech, fake news, and moral decline pose serious threats to Nigeria’s unity and peaceful coexistence.
The Sultan made the remarks in Abuja while receiving Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, during a meeting aimed at strengthening cooperation between Muslim and Christian leaders on peacebuilding and national development.
Speaking through the Deputy Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Sultan said both faith communities must deepen dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration to address insecurity and other challenges confronting the country. He stressed that hate speech has fuelled distrust and divisions among religious groups, while fake news continues to inflame tensions and trigger avoidable crises.
The Sultan also condemned the growing trend of insulting respected religious leaders, urging Nigerians to show respect across religious and ethnic lines. He further expressed concern over what he described as increasing moral decline and the rejection of religious values among young people, calling for stronger moral and faith-based education.
Archbishop Gallagher described the discussions as “very frank and illuminating,” noting that both Muslim and Catholic leaders share common values and responsibilities in promoting peace, religious harmony, and the common good. He expressed optimism that continued interfaith cooperation would strengthen national cohesion and foster lasting peace in Nigeria.
