Interfaith efforts that are working in Nigeria
Stories about religion in Nigeria often focus on conflict. But across the country, Christians and Muslims are also working together to prevent violence and rebuild trust. Here are some of the efforts making a difference.
The imam and the pastor of Kaduna
In the violent clashes that hit northern Nigeria in the 1990s, Pastor James Movel Wuye and Imam Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa were on opposite sides. In 1995 they co-founded the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) in Kaduna State, and they have worked together ever since.
According to the Commonwealth Secretariat, the centre has worked in more than 50 communities across Nigeria and reached millions of people through youth peace clubs and leadership training. It trains women leaders, religious scholars and traditional rulers to act as peace advocates, and runs the Ashafa Peace Academy to mentor young people.
In March 2025 the two men received the first Commonwealth Peace Prize. Imam Ashafa said the prize had “added value to our work at the global and local levels.” The IMC marked its 30th anniversary in November 2025.
A national accord between faith leaders
On 13 August 2026, more than 50 Christian and Muslim leaders signed a peace accord in Abuja, The Christian Post reported. The event was organised by the Muslim World League, and the accord launched a new interfaith body to promote cooperation.
The signatories committed to reject hate speech and inflammatory language. John Praise Daniel, chairman of the Northern Christian Religious Leaders’ Assembly, summed it up: “No hate speech, and no disrespect for other religious groups, no calling of people as infidels.”
Khalid Abubakar, secretary-general of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, said the accord was “not a call to leave your own religion, but a cooperation of working together in harmony.”
Young people sign their own pact
The youth wings of Nigeria’s two main faith bodies have also acted. On 31 October 2026, the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) signed a peace accord in Ikeja, Lagos, Legit.ng reported.
Under the theme “Building Bridges of Faith and Politics”, the young leaders pledged to reject violence and hate speech, refuse to be used by politicians for violent ends, and serve as peace ambassadors in schools, communities and places of worship. They plan to take the message across South-West states ahead of the 2027 elections.
Healing in the north-east and Middle Belt
Smaller projects are working where violence has hit hardest. The Swiss mission organisation Mission 21 supports interfaith work in north-eastern Nigeria and central Nigeria with local partners. In 2025, its seven community and interreligious dialogues reached 600 people, and 56 moderators were trained to give trauma and psychosocial support.
The project also runs interreligious self-help groups and vocational training, so that Christians and Muslims earn a living side by side.
Why it matters now
With the 2027 elections approaching, religion is expected to remain a major factor in politics. These efforts show that faith can also be a force for peace. In the words Imam Ashafa has urged others to repeat: “peace begins with me.”
Do you know an interfaith project in your community? Tell us at Jogos Media.
