Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged the Church in Nigeria to take an active role in building cohesive communities. She made this call while addressing the Lausanne Nigeria Congress 2026, a three-day national gathering of church leaders, missionaries, and Christian organizations in Abuja. The congress, which had over 5,000 delegates from across the country, aimed to promote unity and encourage churches to embody Christian values.
According to Oluremi Tinubu, the Church has a vital responsibility to nurture hope and compassion, strengthen families, mentor young people, encourage peaceful coexistence, and help build communities where every person is treated with dignity. She noted that the congress theme, 'Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together,' aligns with the demands of the moment and the Great Commission given to the Church by Jesus Christ.
The First Lady emphasized that declaring Christ is to share the message of His love, sacrifice, and the free gift of salvation He offers. She cited Matthew 5:16, saying that the gospel proclaimed must shape the life lived and influence the lives of others. Oluremi Tinubu urged delegates to convert the deliberations of the congress into concrete commitments that would take root in congregations and communities across Nigeria.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of Lausanne Nigeria Christian Missions, Yunusa Nmadu, said the church bears not only a duty to pray for the nation but also to lead by example, embodying the character of Christ in love and unity. He called on the body of Christ to abandon denominational, tribal, and ethnic divisions and address the decline in the church's influence despite significant numerical growth over the past two decades.
The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria of the Anglican Communion and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lausanne Nigeria Christian Missions, Henry Ndukuba, called for unity of purpose within the body of Christ. He observed that there would be no denominations in heaven and emphasized the need for the church to proclaim the gospel and embody Christian values through social action.
The Lausanne Movement, founded by renowned American evangelist Dr. Billy Graham, held its first congress in Lausanne, Switzerland, in July 1974. It currently sustains international congresses on evangelism worldwide. The congress in Abuja included prayers for the nation, President Bola Tinubu, leaders at all levels, and for a peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady, Busola Kukoyi, disclosed Oluremi Tinubu's remarks in a statement titled 'The gospel we proclaim must shape the life we live and influence the lives of others – First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.' The statement emphasized the need for the church to take responsibility for building cohesive communities and promoting dignity.
Key points
- Oluremi Tinubu calls on churches to promote dignity and build cohesive communities.
- The Lausanne Nigeria Congress 2026 aimed to promote unity and encourage churches to embody Christian values.
- The church has a vital responsibility to nurture hope and compassion, strengthen families, and mentor young people.
