The Yari Roundtable for Inter-Religious Harmony has convened a major interfaith summit in Abuja, bringing together leading Christian and Muslim clerics to deliberate on practical, community-driven solutions to the insecurity ravaging Northern Nigeria.
The high-level gathering drew prominent religious figures and dignitaries from all 19 northern states, each committed to charting a new, collaborative course for peace, unity, and stability in the region.
Senator Shehu Sani, who attended and spoke at the opening session, said the worsening security situation in the North—terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent crime—made the summit both urgent and essential. He stressed the need for leaders to confront the realities behind the violence and engage people who experience the crisis firsthand.
According to him, the roundtable was deliberately structured to hear from religious leaders and community stakeholders, gather credible insights, and compile a harmonised report that would guide government action at multiple levels.
“We must stop being reactive as leaders,” Sani said. “The step we are taking today is a bottom-up approach to finding solutions. The North cannot develop under the weight of insecurity. We must face the issues honestly and pursue lasting solutions once and for all.”
He urged clerics to use their places of worship as platforms for spreading messages of peace and social harmony. Expressing satisfaction with what he described as the robust and deeply enriching discussions at the summit, Sani noted that the contributions shared by participants reflected genuine community experiences and practical realities.
According to him, the Yari Roundtable for Interreligious Harmony was established to explore collective strategies for achieving peace and countering terrorism, which has deeply destabilised northern communities. Participants agreed that terrorism and banditry pose a common threat to people of all faiths, making collaboration essential.
Sani further emphasised that interfaith cooperation remains critical in promoting tolerance, rebuilding communal trust, and mobilising citizens against violent extremism. He said Christian and Muslim leaders must work hand-in-hand if the North is to reclaim stability.
Religious leaders at the summit praised Senator Abdul Aziz Yari for initiating the maiden interfaith roundtable, describing the move as timely, courageous, and necessary. They highlighted the influential role clerics play in shaping public opinion, reinforcing unity, and discouraging radicalisation.
Participants expressed optimism that the frank and extensive discussions had exposed key drivers of insecurity. They stressed that if the recommendations generated during the summit are fully implemented by federal, state, and local governments, the region could see meaningful progress in the fight against insurgency and banditry.
They also urged political leaders, security agencies, and citizens to support the summit’s resolutions and maintain interfaith engagement as a long-term pathway to peace and development.
Notable religious leaders present included Archbishop James Mafita, Sheikh Salisu Abdullahi Maibarota, Rev. Gideon Mutum, Dr. Umar Zaria, Dr. Sadiq Doka, Bishop Salisu Bala (JP), Bishop Livingston Achili, Bishop Obadiah Gideon Bako, and Sheikh Adam Binani, among many others.
Senator Abdul Aziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara State, founded the Yari Roundtable for Interreligious Harmony to promote peace, unity, and cooperation across the 19 northern states by providing a platform for Christian and Muslim leaders to jointly address threats to regional stability.
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