The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on African leaders and citizens to embrace peace, dialogue, and mutual respect as core values for sustainable development and harmony across the continent.
The royal father made this call during his address at the 2025 Oxford Global Islamic Summit held at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. The high-level summit brought together prominent Islamic scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the globe to discuss issues relating to faith, conflict resolution, education, and interreligious cooperation.
Speaking during a panel session themed “Islam, Peacebuilding, and Global Cooperation,” Sultan Abubakar stressed the need for African nations to address internal conflicts, religious intolerance, and political instability through peaceful dialogue and inclusive governance.
He noted that Africa, with its rich cultural diversity and youthful population, holds vast potential for growth but must eliminate violence and extremism to achieve lasting progress.
“As African Muslims and leaders, we must reject all forms of violence and embrace dialogue as a tool for resolving our differences,” he stated. “Our faith teaches peace, compassion, and justice. These values must guide our engagement with one another regardless of tribe, region, or religion.”
The Sultan further emphasized the role of education, particularly Islamic education rooted in tolerance and moderation, in reshaping public attitudes and fostering peaceful coexistence.
He urged religious and traditional leaders to work hand-in-hand with governments and civil society to promote understanding, reject hate speech, and foster unity across communities.
The summit concluded with a joint communique advocating interfaith collaboration, investment in youth education, and strengthened global partnerships for peace, with the Sultan’s message receiving widespread commendation from participants.
