Religion must unite, not divide Nigerians — Fashola
Former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance and mutual respect, saying faith should serve as a bridge for national unity rather than a source of division.
Fashola made the call on Sunday, August 23, 2026, while speaking at the annual “God in My Life” lecture series organised by the Torchbearers Society of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral (AVMCC), Ikeja, Lagos.
The programme, which brings together prominent Nigerians to reflect on faith, personal experiences, leadership and public service, was held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral in GRA, Ikeja. Fashola was selected as guest speaker in recognition of his record in public service and leadership. Organisers had earlier stressed that his Muslim faith was not a barrier to his participation in the church-hosted programme, describing the lecture series as an inclusive platform focused on the universal experience of faith and divine providence.
Addressing the gathering, Fashola urged Nigerians from different religious backgrounds to respect one another and avoid imposing their beliefs on others.
“Religion should unite rather than divide people,” he said, stressing that faith should remain a matter of personal conviction while encouraging peaceful coexistence among citizens.
The former governor also spoke about the place of God in human affairs, describing God as the ultimate architect of the universe. He noted that people often encounter guidance and support through family members, friends, colleagues, schools and workplaces.
Fashola used aspects of his personal history to illustrate his reflections on faith and providence. He recalled his early exposure to the Anglican Church and how his experiences contributed to his upbringing and development.
He also recounted several dangerous experiences from his younger years, which he attributed partly to youthful recklessness, saying his survival through those moments reinforced his belief in divine providence.
Reflecting on the unpredictability of life, Fashola challenged the audience to consider how little control human beings have over the sequence and circumstances of their lives.
His message resonated with the central theme of the lecture series, which is designed to provide a platform for distinguished Nigerians to share personal testimonies and reflect on the role of God in their journeys. Previous editions have featured personalities including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, diplomat Christopher Kolade and retired Supreme Court Justice George Oguntade.
The Chief Host of the event and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. Dr. James Olusola Odedeji, described the programme as a moment for reflection, testimony and appreciation.
According to Odedeji, the gathering offered participants an opportunity to consider the role of faith in their lives and draw lessons from the experiences of others.
The bishop also commended Fashola for his public service record and his influence on younger Nigerians. Young people from across the diocese reportedly attended the event to listen to the former governor’s experiences and perspectives on life, leadership and service.
Earlier, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, a member of the Torchbearers Society and former chairman of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, praised Fashola for his contributions to public service, Lagos State and the wider Nigerian society.
The choice of Fashola for the lecture had been announced earlier in August, with organisers highlighting his career as Lagos governor and later Minister of Works and Housing, particularly his contributions to infrastructure development, institutional reforms and public-sector governance.
The lecture comes amid continuing calls for greater tolerance and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, a country where Muslims and Christians constitute the two largest religious communities.
Fashola’s central message was therefore broader than the gathering itself: Nigeria’s religious diversity, he suggested, should be treated as a strength capable of fostering understanding, community and national cohesion rather than becoming a basis for suspicion or conflict.
Tags: Babatunde Fashola, Religion in Nigeria, Religious Tolerance, Religious Unity, Nigeria, Lagos State, God in My Life Lecture, Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Torchbearers Society, Olusola Odedeji, Interfaith Relations, National Unity, Peaceful Coexistence, Nigerian Politics, Public Service
