Bold statement: Insecurity is eroding trust—and Nigerian faith leaders are not exempt from accountability. The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad III, publicly challenged religious leaders for failing to be truthful with Nigerians about the country’s escalating insecurity. As Co-Chair of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), he spoke during the council’s Second Tri-Annual Meeting in Abuja, warning that NIREC risks losing relevance unless faith leaders commit to sincerity, accountability, and open, honest engagement.
This critique comes amid calls from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for stronger security measures, even as the Federal Government pushes back against international claims of religious persecution. The Sultan contends that NIREC has strayed from its founding mission and must urgently address internal contradictions that undermine its credibility.
Reflecting on past conviviality, the royal father recalled a time when the atmosphere at NIREC meetings felt warm and constructive. He noted that if something is amiss today, it warrants introspection and questions about the current state of dialogue and trust within the council.
And this is where it gets controversial: should faith leaders be held to higher public accountability for security outcomes, or do political pressures and security dynamics complicate their role? What level of candor is appropriate when addressing a crisis that touches every Nigerian? Invite discussion: Do you agree that faith groups must model transparency in confronting insecurity, or should concerns about political neutrality take precedence?
