The Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) has called for stronger collaboration between faith-based organisations, government, and civil society to promote responsible governance, and sustainable national development in Nigeria.

The call was made at NASFAT’s Biennial General Conference held from December 11 to 14, 2025, at the NAF International Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja.

The four-day event drew hundreds of participants, including religious leaders, professionals, policymakers, women and youth groups, as well as delegates from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

The conference, themed “Building resilience in a changing world: the role of faith and community”, focused on how faith institutions can respond to Nigeria’s social, economic, and governance challenges. Speakers repeatedly stressed that religion must go beyond worship to inspire practical solutions that improve everyday life.

President Bola Tinubu was represented at the conference by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN).

According to the organisers, his presence highlighted the growing recognition of the role faith-based organisations play in national development and moral leadership.

A major highlight of the gathering was a plenary session titled Faith in action: building resilient families, responsible governance, and sustainable communities in changing times.

Discussions centred on strengthening family values, promoting ethical leadership and transparency in public office, advancing peacebuilding and social harmony, and encouraging responsible citizenship.

Participants also examined the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, the need for environmental sustainability, and the importance of youth leadership in shaping Nigeria’s future.

Speakers urged religious institutions to actively engage young people through education, skills development, and entrepreneurship rather than limiting their involvement to religious activities alone.

The theme speaker, Sheikh (Dr) Muhammad Nurudeen Lemu, OON, alongside other panelists, emphasised that faith must translate into action. They argued that religious organisations have a shared responsibility to complement government efforts, especially in education, moral reorientation, and addressing the growing number of out-of-school children.

According to the speakers, mass illiteracy, unemployment, and weak family structures pose serious threats to national stability and require coordinated responses involving religious bodies, community leaders, and policymakers.

During the conference, NASFAT, in partnership with UN Women, launched a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Policy.The policy aims to prevent all forms of violence through faith-sensitive advocacy, community education, protection of vulnerable groups, and partnerships with government institutions and development agencies.

Organisers said the policy reflects NASFAT’s commitment to addressing social injustices and promoting dignity, safety, and inclusion within families and communities.

At the close of the conference, NASFAT announced several resolutions. These include expanding faith-based counselling and family support programmes, intensifying advocacy for good governance and ethical leadership, scaling up peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue initiatives, and mainstreaming environmental sustainability across its activities.

The society also pledged to invest more deliberately in youth development through leadership training, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurship programmes aimed at reducing unemployment and social vices.

NASFAT called on governments at all levels, faith-based organisations, civil society groups, and community leaders to deepen collaboration in tackling Nigeria’s social, economic, and environmental challenges.