Nigeria and the Holy See have reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations, promoting peaceful coexistence and advancing humanitarian cooperation as both sides celebrated five decades of formal diplomatic ties.
The renewed commitment was made on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja.
Receiving the Vatican envoy, Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See as a landmark achievement that reflects decades of mutual respect, cooperation and shared values.
She said the anniversary presents an opportunity to consolidate existing ties and strengthen collaboration in promoting international peace, intercultural dialogue and sustainable development.
"Our relationship with the Holy See is founded on common values of peace, dialogue, human dignity and religious harmony. We remain committed to expanding this partnership for the benefit of our peoples and the global community," the minister said.
The minister also acknowledged the Catholic Church's longstanding contributions to Nigeria's development, noting its impact in education, healthcare delivery, humanitarian services, peacebuilding and community development across the country.
Addressing concerns over insecurity, Odumegwu-Ojukwu outlined measures being implemented by the Federal Government to improve national security, including increased recruitment of security personnel, enhanced collaboration among security agencies and initiatives designed to address the underlying causes of conflict.
She reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding lives and property while protecting religious freedom and creating an enabling environment for economic growth and national development.
In his remarks, Archbishop Gallagher commended Nigeria's leadership role on the African continent and recognised the government's efforts to confront security challenges.
He reaffirmed the Holy See's readiness to continue partnering with Nigeria in advancing peace, justice, reconciliation, humanitarian assistance and social cohesion.
"The Holy See remains committed to working closely with Nigeria in promoting peace, justice, reconciliation and humanitarian cooperation," Gallagher said.
The discussions also focused on the role of religious institutions in strengthening national unity, promoting ethical values, supporting youth development and encouraging dialogue among different faith communities.
Both sides agreed that closer collaboration between governments, faith-based organisations and civil society remains essential to fostering peaceful coexistence and tackling violent extremism.
Archbishop Gallagher further applauded the growth and dynamism of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, expressing appreciation for the increasing contributions of Nigerian clergy and diplomats serving within the Holy See.
He noted that Nigeria's expanding diplomatic and ecclesiastical presence in the Vatican would further enhance bilateral engagement and deepen relations between both parties.
The meeting ended with both Nigeria and the Holy See expressing satisfaction with the state of their bilateral relations and reaffirming their resolve to strengthen cooperation in promoting regional peace, humanitarian initiatives, intercultural understanding, human dignity and sustainable development.