Breakdown of interfaith trust threatens Nigeria’s stability, SGF warns

File: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has warned that the rapid breakdown of trust between Nigeria’s major faith groups now poses one of the gravest threats to the country’s stability.

He said that recent tensions had “almost ebbed into religious conflict” in the last few months.

Akume gave the warning at the second triennial meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council in Abuja on Wednesday.

The SGF said Nigeria is navigating “one of its most delicate periods,” fuelled by heightened political rhetoric, widespread insecurity and deepening suspicion between communities.

According to him, unless urgent steps are taken to rebuild trust, the nation risks slipping into a crisis that could be exploited by criminal groups and extremist elements.

Citing recent violent incidents in Benue, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara states as examples of rising insecurity that has heightened public anxiety, Akume cautioned against framing the violence along religious lines.

“Truth be told, this is a critical time in our nation’s history. From previous incidents in Yelewata in Benue, to recent ones in Eruku in Kwara State, to others that occurred in different parts of Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara States, the nation has painfully endured.

“However, the most worrisome part, which we expect NIREC to address, is the erosion of mutual trust among adherents of different faiths, as reflected in views expressed and the tone of such rhetoric.

“Having identified this as a weak link, government expects that NIREC, as committed leaders of faith, shall at this meeting frankly discuss it as a critical agenda item and take steps that will help claw back lost mileage in the area of eroded trust, peaceful coexistence and collaboration.

“The point is not to engage in a scorecard of pain, but to underscore that violence in Nigeria is not monolithic. Both major faith groups bleed when any Nigerian is killed,” he said.

The SGF’s concerns come amid ongoing debates, particularly in the United States Congress, on alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria — discussions that culminated in a fact-finding mission last week.

The Federal Government has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting that while insecurity is widespread, there is no targeted agenda against any religious or ethnic group.

Akume conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation for NIREC’s long-running commitment to peace and assured all that the government would continue to support the council as part of its non-kinetic security strategies.

He added that the President has established a new U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group on Security, in which NIREC leaders are expected to play key roles.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s recent designation by the U.S. as a “Country of Particular Concern,” the SGF insisted that stronger domestic engagement is needed to correct global misperceptions and affirm the country’s commitment to religious freedom.

Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto and Co-Chair of NIREC, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, pressed for sincere dialogue, saying force alone cannot deliver lasting peace.

He warned religious leaders against hypocrisy and divisive rhetoric, urging them instead to promote neighbourliness and unity.

“We sit down and say so many good things to one another, knowing God owns everything. Yet, when we go out, away from our comfort zone, we begin to say negative things about one another. Are we really honest with ourselves?

“God doesn’t make mistakes. He created us into tribes and nations so we could understand one another… When we close the session, we should speak honestly and sincerely, without mixing words. We must be very blunt,” he said.

The Sultan stressed that cooperation across faith lines does not require compromising one’s beliefs.

“You won’t tell me to abandon my faith because of NIREC. I won’t change it, no matter what. And I would never try to change your faith as a Christian — never,” he declared.

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, also commended the Tinubu administration’s efforts to improve security, emphasising the pivotal role of religious institutions in peacebuilding.

“Faith-based organisations hold immense potential for strengthening security and sustaining peace. Because of their deep community roots, moral authority and trusted presence, they are natural bridges to the hearts and minds of citizens,” he said.

Nathaniel has for the past year covered civil societies, religion, metro and recently the women's ministry as correspondent with Punch Newspapers

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