By Daniel Obaje
The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, has urged religious and traditional institutions to champion peace, justice and national unity to strengthen social cohesion and promote sustainable development across Nigeria.
Sanusi stated this at the 2026 National Social Cohesion Dialogue and public unveiling of the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report in Abuja.
Represented by the Falakin Kano, Alhaji Muktar Bello, the emir said religious and traditional institutions continue to enjoy a high level of public trust across communities,.
He said this because they are critical partners in efforts to foster peaceful coexistence and national development in the country.
According to him, the confidence reposed in the institutions comes with the responsibility of promoting tolerance, inclusiveness, compassion and respect for human dignity.
“The various rounds of the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey have provided valuable insights into the realities confronting our nation.
“Particularly noteworthy is the consistent finding that religious and traditional institutions continue to enjoy a high level of public trust across communities.
“This confidence reposed in us is both an honour and a responsibility. It calls upon us to continue serving as beacons of hope, justice, wisdom and reconciliation,” he said.
Sanusi said traditional and religious leaders must actively discourage division, extremism, hate speech and discrimination while encouraging dialogue and cooperation across ethnic, religious and regional lines.
He described Nigeria’s diversity as one of its greatest strengths and urged all stakeholders to work collectively toward 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 said social cohesion remained critical to national development and security.
Kaigama said findings from the survey showing high public trust in religious and traditional institutions and be viewed as an opportunity to rebuild national unity.
“This is not news to be cheered, but an opportunity to be explored, we all bleed red, we share a common humanity and must work together to face our common challenges.
“It is a danger when you prioritise your private identity over the national identity,” he said.
According to him, religious and traditional institutions remain strategically positioned to build bridges across divides because of their grassroots presence and influence.
Also speaking, Oba Samuel Alagbado, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti and Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, called for stronger constitutional roles for traditional rulers.
Alagbado said traditional institutions had been gradually weakened in spite of remaining the closest governance structures to the people.
“The traditional ruler is the centre of gravity of his community. In this insecure time, where do people run to? It is the palace.
“We have lawyers, retired justices, engineers, doctors and generals serving as traditional rulers, these are a reservoir of knowledge that government needs.”
He urged government and development partners to support research aimed at understanding the declining influence of traditional institutions and ways to strengthen them.
Earlier, Executive Director of the Africa Polling Institute, Prof. Bell Ihua, said the 2026 Nigeria Social Cohesion Index stood at 48.8 per cent, representing the highest level recorded since the survey commenced.
Ihua said the figure was two percentage points higher than the 46.8 per cent recorded in 2025.
According to him, the survey reveals that for the first time since its inception, a majority of respondents identified primarily as Nigerians rather than ethnic, religious or regional lines.
“For the first time since the survey began, a majority of respondents identified primarily as Nigerians rather than by ethnic, religious or regional affiliations.
“However, citizens’ trust in government and public institutions remains extremely low, while religious and traditional leaders continue to enjoy significant trust among citizens.”
Mr Olusoji Adeniyi, a member of the Board of API, urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to rise above ethnic and religious divisions and embrace a shared national identity.
“We cannot continue to think the way our colonial masters programmed us to think and expect to build a new Nigeria.
“This is our time to rethink the Nigeria of our dreams and focus on what unites us as a people.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz