Inter-Faith Leaders Unite Against Hate Speech in Nigeria

At the 8th General Assembly of the Inter-Faith Dialogue Forum for Peace Nigeria (IDFPN) held in Abuja, Nigeria, Co-Chairs Imam Dr. Yusuf Arrigasiyu and Reverend Akila Hamman Jr emphasized the need for collaboration to combat hate speech. The assembly featured the launch of the Inter-Faith Code of Conduct (ICOC) and a Peace Conference themed “Hate Speech and Violence: The Role of State and Non-State Actors in Nation Building.” The co-chairs highlighted ongoing challenges in Nigeria, including religious intolerance, ethnic suspicion, and violent extremism, asserting that peace must be actively built and sustained.

They warned that hate speech poses a significant threat to national cohesion, particularly through inflammatory statements in various public forums. Imam Majemu Abdulkareem Shefiu, the forum's co-secretary, stressed the influential role of religious leaders in guiding their followers.

Professor Abubakar Sadeeque Abba from the University of Abuja identified ethnic profiling as a key driver of hate speech, labeling many promoters as “Facebook tigers” lacking credibility.