Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for a more balanced global understanding of the country’s challenges, stressing that accurate perspectives are essential to crafting effective solutions.

She made the remarks while receiving the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at her office in Abuja.

Mrs Tinubu noted that ongoing efforts to promote peace and harmony among Nigeria’s diverse groups require support from the international community, beginning with a fair and nuanced portrayal of the nation’s security situation.

She commended Welby for emphasising that Nigeria’s challenges are best addressed by Nigerians, who possess a deeper understanding of the country’s complexities.

“Listening to one side of the story and drawing conclusions is not the right approach to conflict resolution,” she said, while urging that interfaith initiatives should be broadened to include security agencies to provide a comprehensive perspective on efforts to tackle insecurity.

Tinubu also used the occasion to commend the Armed Forces for their continued sacrifices and commitment to safeguarding the nation, and called on religious institutions globally to promote values that encourage responsible living.

In his remarks, Welby said his visit was aimed at supporting peacebuilding efforts in Nigeria and reinforcing the country’s reputation as a nation that upholds freedom of worship.

He disclosed that an interfaith dialogue involving Christian and Muslim leaders would be convened in London next week under the auspices of the Global Forum for Peace, Abu Dhabi, led by Sheikh Abdallah Bin Baya.

According to him, the forum will bring together 12 Christian and 12 Muslim participants to foster mutual understanding and develop practical solutions to interfaith conflicts, not only in Nigeria but globally.

“We want to contribute to what President Bola Tinubu is doing to promote peace. Our goal is enduring peace,” he said, adding that his visit was also to help lay the groundwork for a successful dialogue.

Welby was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery. The meeting comes barely a month after President Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom, during which the First Lady participated in interfaith engagements, including a church service at Lambeth Palace.

In a separate engagement, Tinubu also received the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who briefed her on progress made under the ministry’s Girls in Tech programme.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, the minister disclosed that the First Lady will host a dinner in Abuja to showcase innovations developed by participants in the programme.