Nigeria and Holy See Strengthen Bilateral Relations

On July 6, 2026, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, to reaffirm Nigeria's commitment to strengthening its long-standing diplomatic relations with the Holy See. This meeting coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, marking a significant milestone.

During the discussions, Ambassador Ojukwu highlighted the Catholic Church's contributions to Nigeria's development, particularly in education, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance. She acknowledged the Church's role in promoting social cohesion and improving communities across the country.

Archbishop Gallagher commended Nigeria's strategic role in Africa and reiterated the Holy See's readiness to continue working with Nigeria to promote peace, justice, and humanitarian cooperation. Both parties emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, faith-based organizations, and civil society to foster peace and counter violent extremism.