By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for improved global understanding of Nigeria’s security and social challenges, urging stakeholders to avoid misrepresentation of the country’s situation.
She made the remarks while receiving the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, during a courtesy visit to her office in Abuja.
The meeting focused on interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and efforts to strengthen religious harmony in Nigeria and beyond.
The First Lady stressed that lasting solutions to Nigeria’s challenges must come from a proper understanding of local realities, noting that listening to only one side of a narrative could lead to flawed conclusions.
“Listening to one side of the story and then concluding is a wrong approach to conflict resolution,” she said, adding that global partners should support ongoing peace efforts by engaging constructively rather than mischaracterising security issues.
Senator Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts in tackling insecurity and maintaining national stability.
She further encouraged religious leaders to promote responsible preaching that fosters peaceful coexistence and moral discipline across society.
The former Archbishop, who was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, said the engagement was part of preparations for an upcoming interfaith dialogue initiative under the Global Forum for Peace in Abu Dhabi, scheduled to be held in London.
He explained that the dialogue would bring together 12 Christian and 12 Muslim leaders to encourage open discussions aimed at resolving interfaith tensions in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Welby noted that the initiative seeks to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s peace-building efforts, adding that the goal is to achieve sustainable and enduring peace through structured engagement.
He said the programme would provide a platform for mutual understanding and practical solutions to religious conflicts.
In a separate engagement, the First Lady also received the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who briefed her on the progress of the “Girls in Tech” programme.
The Minister disclosed plans for a special dinner event to showcase innovations developed by female participants of the initiative, which is expected to be hosted by the First Lady in Abuja.
He also sought her support as the face of a campaign aimed at expanding internet access and digital connectivity in rural and riverine communities across Nigeria.
The First Lady expressed support for the initiatives, reaffirming her commitment to youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and gender-focused development programmes.