Peace Building & Social Justice: Nigeria's Path to Prosperity
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First Lady of Nigeria preaches on God’s mercy at Lambeth Palace
By David W. Virtue, DD
March 30, 2026
As part of the UK–Nigeria State Visit engagements, PSJ UK an International Organisation for Peace Building & Social Justice UK convened a high-level breakfast policy dialogue at the UK Parliament, bringing together policymakers, civil society leaders, and members of the Nigerian diaspora.
The session offered a platform to reflect on Nigeria's current realities and explore practical pathways towards peace, stability, and inclusive development. As bilateral discussions took place at the highest levels, the dialogue ensured that community perspectives and concerns remained central to the conversation.
Nigerian Christians have faced severe persecution from militant Islamic groups like Boko Haram with more than 7,000 Christians killed in Nigeria during the first 220 days of 2025, a civil-society watchdog said. This is an average of 35 killings a day, according to the recent report published by the Nigeria-based human-rights NGO International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety).
At the PSJ UK summit several key themes and discussions were heard
1. Security and Protection of Communities
Participants highlighted the scale and urgency of insecurity across Nigeria, including ongoing violence, displacement, and threats to civilian life, emphasizing the need for strengthened protection mechanisms and coordinated responses.
2. Governance, Accountability, and Trust
Transparent governance, accountability, and the rule of law were identified as critical foundations for long-term stability and public confidence.
3. The Role of Advocacy and Diaspora Engagement
The session underscored the importance of advocacy in ensuring that lived realities inform high-level decision-making. The Nigerian diaspora was recognised as a vital bridge in shaping policy conversations and sustaining engagement.
4. UK–Nigeria Cooperation
Participants explored opportunities for deeper collaboration between the UK and Nigeria, particularly in security, institutional strengthening, and humanitarian support.
Outcomes and Reflections
The dialogue created space for meaningful exchange, bringing diverse perspectives into a shared, solutions-focused conversation. Key takeaways included the need for:
· Continued engagement beyond the State Visit
· Stronger alignment between policy discussions and on-the-ground realities
· Coordinated advocacy to drive accountability and action
There was broad recognition that the momentum of the State Visit must translate into tangible outcomes for communities affected by insecurity and instability.
PSJ UK will build on this dialogue by:
· Engaging stakeholders across government, parliament, and civil society
· Sharing policy insights and recommendations from the session
· Strengthening advocacy to sustain attention on key issues
· Expanding platforms for collaboration and dialogue
First Lady of Nigeria preaches on God’s mercy at Lambeth Palace
Premier Christian News reported that the First Lady of Nigeria told a gathering at Lambeth Palace that God’s mercy brings “fresh benefits” to her each morning. Mrs Tinubu is a Christian, whilst her husband, President Bola Tinubu, identifies as a Muslim.
The couple were welcomed to Lambeth Palace by the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Rt Revd Anthony Poggo. They were joined by Rt Revd Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, the Church of England’s lead bishop for interfaith relations, Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, and Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, Acting Bishop of London. David Smith MP, special envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, was also in attendance.
“I love the King James Version of the Bible,” she continued, before reading from Ephesians 2:4-6: “For God, who is so rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved; and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
“This is the only time God is referred to as being ‘rich’ in anything at all: mercy,” she declared. “There are things I dwell on – fresh manna in the morning. God doesn’t give us anything stale, he always gives us things that are fresh. “The mercy I have today is different from the mercy I had yesterday. God gives us benefits, fresh benefits, fresh mercy and fresh bread every day.”
Rt Revd Anthony Poggo described the visit as “excellent" and said that they had prayed together for “the people of Nigeria and the needs of the world".
For many Christians, the state visit has been deeply controversial due to ongoing persecution in Nigeria.
Dr Richard Ikiebe, president of Peace Building and Social Justice UK (PBSJUK), told Premier Christian News he worried the Nigerian government “would rather focus on ‘optics’ and public relations" than attacks on Christians.
He urged churches to speak up against the persecution of believers in Nigeria, saying: "The people pushing the narrative are quite happy for us to do nothing."
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