Abuja: The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, has called upon religious and traditional institutions to play a significant role in promoting peace, justice, and national unity to strengthen social cohesion and support sustainable development in Nigeria. The call was made during the 2026 National Social Cohesion Dialogue and the public unveiling of the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report in Abuja. Represented by the Falakin Kano, Alhaji Muktar Bello, the emir emphasized the critical role these institutions play in fostering peaceful coexistence and national development.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the emir highlighted that religious and traditional institutions continue to enjoy a high level of public trust across communities. This trust places a responsibility on these institutions to promote tolerance, inclusiveness, compassion, and respect for human dignity. Sanusi emphasized that the insights provided by the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey highlight the importance of these institutions as beacons of hope, justice, wisdom, and reconciliation.
Sanusi urged traditional and religious leaders to actively discourage division, extremism, hate speech, and discrimination while promoting dialogue and cooperation across ethnic, religious, and regional lines. He described Nigeria’s diversity as a significant strength and called on all stakeholders to work collectively towards building a more cohesive society.
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Unamba stressed the importance of social cohesion for national development and security. Kaigama noted that the survey findings, which show high public trust in religious and traditional institutions, should be seen as an opportunity to rebuild national unity. He emphasized the need to prioritize national identity over private identity, highlighting the strategic position of religious and traditional institutions in building bridges across divides due to their grassroots presence and influence.
Oba Samuel Alagbado, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti and Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, also spoke at the event, advocating for stronger constitutional roles for traditional rulers. Alagbado pointed out the gradual weakening of traditional institutions despite their proximity to the people and called for support from the government and development partners to strengthen them.
Earlier, Prof. Bell Ihua, Executive Director of the Africa Polling Institute, revealed that the 2026 Nigeria Social Cohesion Index stood at 48.8 percent, the highest level since the survey’s inception. For the first time, a majority of respondents identified primarily as Nigerians rather than by ethnic, religious, or regional affiliations, although trust in government and public institutions remains low.
Mr. Olusoji Adeniyi, a member of the Board of API, urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to rise above ethnic and religious divisions and embrace a shared national identity. He called for a rethinking of Nigeria’s future that focuses on unity and what binds the nation together.