First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Accurate Global Perspective on Nigeria's Security Challenges
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has issued a strong appeal to the international community, urging them to cease misreading the security crisis in Nigeria. She emphasized that an accurate understanding of the nation's realities is essential for effective support from global partners.
Meeting with Former Archbishop of Canterbury Highlights Interfaith Dialogue
Mrs Tinubu made these remarks during a meeting with the former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt. Revd. Justin Welby, at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The visit was part of preparations for a major interfaith dialogue organized by the Global Forum for Peace in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of Sheikh Abdallah Bin Baya, scheduled to take place next week in London, United Kingdom.
In a statement released by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, titled 'First Lady of Nigeria engages former Archbishop of Canterbury on interfaith dialogue,' Mrs Tinubu stressed the importance of correct perspectives. "The world must get the right perspective of the various challenges in the nation to be able to proffer appropriate solutions," she said. "Listening to one side of the story and then concluding is a wrong approach to conflict resolution."
Criticism of External Observers and Call for Inclusion
Mrs Tinubu criticized external observers for attributing Nigeria's security crises to religious or ethnic fault lines without proper verification. She highlighted that the Nigerian government has consistently raised concerns about international coverage of issues such as farmer-herder clashes and insurgency in the North-East and Middle Belt regions.
Furthermore, the First Lady called for the inclusion of Nigerian security agencies in the upcoming interfaith dialogue efforts. "Thank you for opening up this Interfaith Dialogue, and I believe that you should also invite not just the Christians and Muslims but also the Nigerian Security to the dialogue, to know what they have been doing," she stated.
Commendation and Context of the Visit
Mrs Tinubu commended the former Archbishop for acknowledging that Nigeria's challenges are best understood and resolved by Nigerians themselves. This meeting occurred ahead of her scheduled preaching at Lambeth Palace in London during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's state visit to the United Kingdom, where he is set for talks with King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Recent Security Incident in Plateau State
In a related development, a tragic attack in Mbwelle village, Plateau State, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, resulted in the deaths of at least eight people, primarily from one family. Community leaders expressed frustration over the lack of security response during the hours-long assault, with several others injured and missing. This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges facing the nation.
Mrs Tinubu's advocacy aims to foster a more nuanced global understanding and collaborative approach to addressing Nigeria's complex security landscape.
