Nigeria, Sant’Egidio Deepen Partnership on Peacebuilding, Interfaith Dialogue

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Community of Sant’Egidio in advancing peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, humanitarian assistance and community development across the country.

The commitment was made on Wednesday when the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, received a delegation from the Community of Sant’Egidio at the Ministry’s headquarters, Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja. The delegation was led by Professor Jan De Volder and Professor Stefano Orlando and accompanied by officials of the Embassy of Italy in Nigeria.

The meeting built on earlier engagements between the Community and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, with discussions centred on expanding cooperation in conflict prevention, mediation, youth development, humanitarian intervention and support for vulnerable communities.

Speaking during the meeting, Professor De Volder highlighted the Community of Sant’Egidio’s growing presence in several Nigerian states, noting its contributions to grassroots peacebuilding, education, poverty reduction and community dialogue. He also extended an invitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to participate in the 40th International Meeting for Peace, scheduled to take place in Assisi, Italy, in October 2026.

The delegation further proposed the establishment of a formal cooperation framework between Nigeria and the Community of Sant’Egidio to facilitate long-term collaboration in areas of shared interest.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ahmed commended the Community’s longstanding global commitment to peace, reconciliation and humanitarian service, describing its work as a valuable contribution to promoting social harmony and sustainable development.

He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to partner with faith-based and civil society organisations dedicated to fostering peaceful coexistence, social inclusion and conflict prevention.

The Permanent Secretary identified priority areas for future collaboration, including youth leadership development, vocational skills acquisition, interfaith engagement, support for internally displaced and vulnerable persons, education, healthcare delivery, poverty alleviation and community-based peace initiatives.

Both parties agreed to sustain consultations aimed at developing an appropriate framework for cooperation and implementing joint programmes that will contribute to peace, stability and inclusive development in Nigeria.

By Sophina Ovuike, Abuja 

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