Nigeria and the Muslim World League will on Tuesday convene an international security conference in Abuja, with religious leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders expected to deliberate on peaceful coexistence, national unity and security.

The conference, scheduled to hold at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, will focus on the link between peace, security and socio-economic development, as well as ways of strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding among Muslims, Christians and adherents of other faiths.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday during the inauguration of the Muslim World League Mosque in Abuja by the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Scholars, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.

Idris said the conference was coming at a critical period for Nigeria as the government continues to strengthen the country’s security architecture while implementing reforms and investments targeted at accelerating socio-economic development.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to peaceful coexistence, religious harmony and national unity, noting that peace and security were critical to Nigeria’s prosperity and stability.

“The President is determined to ensure peace and tranquillity not just in Nigeria, but around the world. This is a clear demonstration of the path that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is taking,” Idris said.

The minister stressed that Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, had an important role to play in promoting peace and stability across the continent.

He added that a peaceful and secure Nigeria would have a positive impact on West Africa and the wider African continent.

Idris said the international conference would provide an opportunity for religious leaders and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop practical approaches to addressing security challenges while promoting peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding.

He commended the Muslim World League, Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), the Saudi Arabian government and other stakeholders for facilitating Sheikh Al-Issa’s visit and the establishment of the mosque.

The minister also praised Sheikh Al-Issa for his sustained advocacy for peace, dialogue and understanding among different faith communities.

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Earlier, Al-Issa commended President Tinubu for his efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims in Nigeria.

He said peace and harmony in Nigeria would contribute significantly to stability in West Africa and the wider world.

The Muslim World League Secretary-General said his visit to Nigeria was primarily centred on promoting peace and peaceful coexistence, expressing optimism that the conference would provide a platform for advancing dialogue and harmony in Nigeria and beyond.

Al-Issa also inaugurated a newly constructed mosque in Gauda, Abuja, while expressing appreciation to individuals and organisations that contributed to its establishment.

The conference is expected to bring together religious leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening peace, security and social cohesion.

Among dignitaries who attended the mosque inauguration were the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto; Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, representing Sokoto North Senatorial District; Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, representing Gombe Central Senatorial District; and Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, among others.