Sultan, CAN to Nigerians: Reject hate speech, embrace dialogue

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By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja

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The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Dr Daniel Okoh, have urged Nigerians to reject hate speech and embrace dialogue, insisting that the country’s religious diversity should be harnessed to build peace rather than fuel division.

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The appeal came as Christian and Muslim leaders converged on Abuja to unveil the Interfaith Code of Conduct (ICoC), a landmark framework aimed at combating hate speech, promoting responsible religious leadership and strengthening peaceful coexistence amid growing concerns over violence and polarising rhetoric.

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The Sultan, represented by Prof. Muhammad Isah Maishanu, set the tone for the conference with a call for faith leaders to become builders of peace. Archbishop Daniel Okoh, represented by Most Rev. Dr Benebo Fubara-Manuel, reinforced that message, while organisers of the gathering urged participants to move beyond declarations by putting the Code into everyday practice across churches, mosques and communities.

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“Religious leaders have a sacred responsibility to use their influence to foster peace rather than deepen divisions,” the Sultan said.

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He warned that hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric continue to drive conflicts in many communities and challenged religious leaders to promote tolerance, understanding and mutual respect through their teachings and public engagements.

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The Sultan said the Interfaith Code of Conduct provides a practical framework for deepening cooperation between Christians and Muslims while encouraging responsible religious leadership capable of promoting peaceful coexistence.

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“Dialogue remains the most effective tool for resolving differences,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than division.

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Archbishop Okoh described the launch of the Code as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s peacebuilding efforts, saying it reflects the shared commitment of Christian and Muslim leaders to addressing the root causes of violence and intolerance.

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“The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Christian and Muslim leaders to fostering harmony and addressing the root causes of violence and intolerance across the country,” he said through Fubara-Manuel.

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He urged religious leaders to translate the principles of the Code into practical action through sermons, public engagement and community-based peace initiatives instead of allowing them to remain lofty ideals.

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The CAN president also called on government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and the media to support implementation of the code, stressing that building a peaceful nation demands collective responsibility.

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“Faith leaders must continue to champion dialogue, reconciliation and justice while discouraging messages capable of inciting violence or promoting religious hatred,” he added.

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The conference was jointly convened by the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, in partnership with the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID).

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It was coordinated by the IDFP’s co-chairmen, Rev. Abainatus Akila Hamman and Ameer Muhammad Jameel Muhammad, who led the gathering of religious leaders and other stakeholders for the formal unveiling of the Code.

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Held as part of the 8th General Assembly of the IDFP under the theme ‘Hate Speech and Violence: The Role of State and Non-State Actors in Nation-Building,’ the conference drew Christian and Muslim clerics, government officials, peacebuilding practitioners, civil society groups, journalists, women and youth leaders to examine practical ways of countering religious tensions and harmful narratives.

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According to the organisers, the Code emerged from a Nigerian-led interfaith process supported by KAICIID and outlines ten core values for Christian-Muslim engagement, including mutual respect, protection of human dignity, peaceful conflict resolution, justice, integrity, transparency, compassion and the rejection of hate speech.

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It is expected to guide religious preaching, public communication, media engagement and responses to conflict, while also serving as a reference for journalists, educators, traditional rulers and government institutions.

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Participants resolved to promote the Interfaith Code of Conduct across churches, mosques, schools, media organisations and communities nationwide.

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They also called for sustained collaboration among religious leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that interfaith dialogue becomes an enduring instrument for peacebuilding and national cohesion.

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