Members of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations have signed a peace deal for the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The signing happened at the National Christian Centre in Abuja on Friday. This event was part of the 2026 National Christian Youth Security Summit and Thanksgiving Service. The theme for the summit was “Empowered for Leadership, Service and Nation Building.”
The peace deal aims to promote religious tolerance, reject political violence, and encourage peaceful coexistence as the elections approach. The summit lasted for three days and included security officials, government representatives, church leaders, and youth delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In his welcome speech, the National Chairman of YOWICAN, Ven. Evang. Ademola Arowolo, called the peace accord a “covenant of hope and a declaration of unity.” He said it is meant to reduce electoral violence and conflicts between different faiths.
“Today marks a defining moment in the history of youth engagement, faith-based leadership, national security advocacy, and interfaith collaboration in Nigeria. This Peace Accord represents more than a document. It is a covenant of hope, a declaration of unity, and a collective commitment by Christian and Muslim youths to work together in promoting peace, justice, dialogue, tolerance, and national development,” he said.
In an interview with reporters, Arowolo stressed the importance of human life. He urged young people to avoid political violence and vote-buying as the country gears up for the next elections.
“The key objective of today’s gathering is for the Christian youth of this country to sit down and see that security is very important, because every life, whether of a Muslim, a Christian, or any other faith, is sacred. God Himself does not divide us; it is human beings that divide us in their own mindsets.”
He also warned against engaging in violence as elections approach. “An idle man is the devil’s workshop, but as elections approach, if somebody meets you for any violence, tell them your children should not come. We cannot destroy our own land,” he added.
The National President of NACOMYO, Sani Sulaiman-Maigoro, also confirmed their commitment. He said interfaith unity is key to overcoming security challenges and political manipulation.
“First and foremost is for us to accept the reality that we are first Nigerians, and Nigeria is our country. Together we live and prosper, and when we are divided, we all suffer. When we work together, we can defeat the negative narrative and those few people who choose to be evil and divide us along religious, ethnic, or sectional lines.”
Sulaiman-Maigoro added, “Nigerian Muslim youths are here in solidarity with Christian youths to say we are together towards securing and making Nigeria a better place for all.”
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, represented President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu. He warned young people not to let politicians use them for harmful purposes.
“We are meeting at a very crucial time in the history of our great nation a period when we are moving towards another election. It should be a period that none of you will be used as a sacrificial lamb. We don’t want any politician to use you and waste your life. The Muslim and the Christian in Nigeria must work together; we are brothers and sisters, and it is only when you have peace that you can talk of progress.”
Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, encouraged Christian youths to be nation-builders and moral examples. He was represented by Rev. Simon Dolly-KIF, Secretary-General of the Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly.
“The time has come for Nigerian Christian youths to rise beyond the limitations of yesterday and embrace the responsibility of building the Nigeria we desire to see tomorrow. Let no Christian youth become an instrument of violence, hatred, manipulation, or destruction. We must refuse to be recruited into anything that destroys the lives and future of our fellow Nigerians. Nigeria is bigger than our ethnicity, denomination, and political differences.”
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, highlighted the need for peace for youth productivity. He was represented by Mr Musa Likita, Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence to the Minister of Defence.
Musa acknowledged the important role of youth in national growth. “The youth are full of energy, creativity, and innovation, so they will thrive better when the environment is peaceful. Youths are implored to hold values where they will not allow themselves to be exploited by extremist forces or criminal elements.
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