Nigeria and the Holy See have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, promoting peace, dialogue, religious harmony and sustainable development as both sides marked 50 years of diplomatic relations.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja while receiving Paul Richard Gallagher during a courtesy visit.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and the Holy See as one built on shared values of peace, human dignity, dialogue, international cooperation and sustainable development. She said the anniversary provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to advancing peace, intercultural understanding and stronger diplomatic engagement.
The minister commended the Catholic Church for its contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly in education, healthcare, humanitarian services, peacebuilding and community development, noting that its efforts have continued to promote social cohesion and improve the well-being of communities across the country.
On security, the minister outlined the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity through increased recruitment of security personnel, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and measures aimed at addressing the root causes of violence. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property while safeguarding religious freedom and creating an enabling environment for socio-economic development.
Gallagher acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic role in Africa and praised the government’s efforts to address security challenges. He reiterated the Holy See’s readiness to continue working with Nigeria in advancing peace, justice, reconciliation, social cohesion and humanitarian cooperation.
Both sides also underscored the importance of religious institutions in promoting moral values, national unity, youth development and interfaith dialogue, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among government, faith-based organisations and civil society to foster peaceful coexistence and counter violent extremism.
The Vatican envoy further applauded the vibrancy of the Catholic Church in Nigeria and welcomed the increasing contributions of Nigerian clergy and diplomats within the Holy See, expressing confidence that the growing Nigerian presence at the Vatican would further strengthen bilateral relations.
The meeting ended with both parties expressing satisfaction with the state of relations between Nigeria and the Holy See and pledged to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including humanitarian initiatives, regional peace, intercultural dialogue and the promotion of human dignity.
