Partner traditional, religious leaders for national unity, stakeholders urge FG

Stakeholders on Thursday urged the Federal Government to deepen engagement with traditional and religious institutions as critical partners in promoting national unity, peacebuilding and social cohesion, arguing that the two institutions remain among the most trusted platforms for mobilising citizens across Nigeria’s diverse communities.

The call was made at the 2026 National Social Cohesion Dialogue organised by the Africa Polling Institute in Abuja, where policymakers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners and civil society actors gathered to examine the state of social cohesion in the country and chart pathways towards greater national integration.

The event, themed “Strengthening the Role of Religious and Traditional Institutions as Key Agents of Social Cohesion,” coincided with the presentation of findings from the 2026 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey, a flagship study supported by the Ford Foundation.

The dialogue comes against the backdrop of persistent security challenges, economic hardship, ethno-religious tensions and growing concerns over public trust in governance institutions. In recent years, traditional rulers and faith leaders have increasingly played mediation roles in communal conflicts, peace initiatives and humanitarian interventions across different parts of the country.

Presenting the survey findings, API Executive Director, Professor Bell Ihua, disclosed that Nigeria’s Social Cohesion Index rose to 48.8 per cent in 2026, representing a two-percentage-point increase from the previous year and the highest level recorded since the survey was introduced.

Although the score remains marginally below the 50 per cent benchmark considered indicative of stronger social cohesion, Ihua said the improvement reflected Nigerians’ resilience and enduring commitment to peaceful coexistence despite prevailing challenges.

One of the most significant findings of the survey, according to him, was a notable shift in how citizens identify themselves.

“For the first time since the inception of the study, a majority of respondents identified primarily as Nigerians rather than by ethnic, religious or regional affiliations.

“This shift represents an important milestone in the country’s nation-building journey and points to a strengthening sense of shared national identity,” he said.

The survey nevertheless revealed a continuing deficit of trust in government institutions, even as confidence in religious and traditional leaders remained comparatively high.

According to Ihua, the Nigeria Social Cohesion Project evaluates relationships among citizens and their willingness to cooperate across ethnic, religious and political divides in pursuit of national stability and prosperity.

He explained that the 2026 survey assessed 14 indicators, including identity, trust, social justice and equity, civic participation, tolerance, gender equality, disability inclusion, corruption, accountability, security, migration and future expectations.

Speaking on behalf of the Ford Foundation, Programme Officer, Onyinye Onyema-Obi, described Nigeria’s diversity as one of its greatest strengths but warned that it requires deliberate management and responsible leadership to prevent social fault lines from undermining national development.

She said traditional and religious leaders occupy a unique position as custodians of culture, values and community trust.

“Beyond preserving heritage and spiritual values, they serve as authoritative voices that shape attitudes, influence behaviour and guide communal responses to evolving social realities,” she said.

According to her, the rise in insecurity, social polarisation and misinformation has further increased the importance of trusted community leaders in fostering dialogue and rebuilding public confidence.

“The establishment of a peaceful Nigeria cannot be achieved solely through policies and institutions. It must be built on interpersonal relationships and the exemplary conduct of leaders who inspire communities to prioritise cooperation over division,” Onyema-Obi added.

Also speaking, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, whose address was delivered by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Unamba, said the survey findings should serve as a wake-up call for political leaders and community stakeholders alike.

Kaigama observed that while public confidence in government institutions has continued to decline, the sustained trust enjoyed by traditional and religious institutions presents an opportunity to strengthen national cohesion and deepen citizens’ commitment to the Nigerian project.

Drawing from both Christian and Islamic teachings, he argued that peace, solidarity and mutual respect are values shared across faith traditions and should guide efforts to address the country’s social and political challenges.

“It is dangerous when people prioritise private identity above national identity. Citizens should proudly retain their cultural and religious identities, but these should not supersede commitment to the Nigerian project,” he said.

The Archbishop maintained that religious and traditional institutions are uniquely positioned to foster social cohesion because of their deep roots within local communities and their capacity to mediate disputes, provide moral guidance and deliver social services.

He advocated stronger institutional collaboration between government and community leaders, arguing that traditional rulers and faith leaders possess grassroots insights that are often missing from formal governance structures.

Among his recommendations were the institutionalisation of consultation mechanisms with traditional and religious leaders, greater recognition of traditional authorities, increased autonomy in the selection of traditional rulers and stronger support for faith-based and community-driven development programmes.

Kaigama also cautioned religious and traditional leaders against partisan political engagement, stressing that neutrality remains essential to preserving public confidence.

“Religious and traditional leaders should never be partisan. Once they become aligned with political interests, they risk losing the moral authority and public trust that make them effective agents of social cohesion,” he stated.

He further criticised the growing tendency to confer honours and traditional titles solely on the basis of wealth, warning that such practices undermine societal values and send the wrong message to younger generations.

To strengthen the effectiveness of traditional and religious institutions, he called for structured capacity-building programmes in conflict resolution, community development and social cohesion.