Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated the need for deeper collaboration between government and spiritual leaders, stressing that coordinated faith leadership is essential to counter misinformation and strengthen societal values across Lagos communities.
Eko Hot News reports that the Governor made this known at a Capacity Training and Enhancement Workshop for Imams and Ulama in Lagos State, organised by the Council of Chief Imams and Ulama. The event, held at the Lagos Central Mosque, explored the theme “Enhancing the Partnership of Spiritual Leaders and Government in Nation Building.” Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu emphasised that the influence of sermons delivered in mosques and churches remains critical in shaping public perception and guiding communal behaviour.
The Governor noted that messages shared during Friday prayers and Sunday services carry immense authority, adding that religious leaders play a decisive role in helping citizens understand government policies, developmental plans, and the true state of affairs. According to him, a coordinated communication structure between the government and clerics will significantly enhance trust and public cooperation.
“We need to be coordinated. If we fail to actively engage these key faith leaders, we disadvantage ourselves as a government. Their voices reach the very people we are trying to speak to, and partnering with them will ensure our messages are not only heard but trusted,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
Expressing concern about societal shifts, the Governor lamented that many individuals and institutions are abandoning their responsibilities, leaving critical gaps in moral and community leadership. He assured that the government would take decisive steps to address such lapses, especially where essential responsibilities have been neglected.
Sanwo-Olu also raised an alarm over declining religious identity among youths, urging faith leaders to work collaboratively to reinforce values and preserve the moral foundations of their religions. He challenged clerics to reflect on why younger generations were distancing themselves from religious institutions and what proactive steps could be taken to keep them anchored within faith traditions.
The Governor further highlighted the importance of strengthening the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), describing it as a vital platform for fostering unity between Muslim and Christian leaders. He stressed that the council’s joint structure is crucial to sustaining peace and preventing religious tension in Lagos and across the country.
Delivering his lecture titled “Promoting Self-Reliance and Economic Empowerment of Spiritual Leaders,” the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Alhaji Jebe Abdullahi Ahmad, emphasised the need for economic empowerment of Imams and religious leaders. He argued that financially independent clerics are better positioned to fulfil their spiritual responsibilities and contribute to community development.
Jebe urged spiritual leaders to combine their religious duties with legitimate economic activities, drawing inspiration from the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who demonstrated the balance between faith and enterprise. He identified key pathways to self-reliance, including skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, efficient time management, and participation in Lagos State empowerment programmes such as LSETF and community development grants.
He added that government, private organisations, and religious bodies must collaborate to establish training platforms, cooperative societies, and endowment structures that guarantee long-term financial stability for spiritual leaders.
In another lecture titled “The Imam as the Bridge of Trust between Government and the People,” the National Missioner of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdur’Rahman Olanrewaju Ahmad, reaffirmed the central role of faith leaders in nation-building. He noted that spiritual leadership and public governance must work hand in hand to strengthen society’s moral fabric and drive sustainable development.
“Most times when the government makes policies, it is the clerics, especially the Imams, that will explain and sensitise the congregations,” Sheikh Ahmad observed.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos and Chairman of the Council of Chief Imams and Ulama, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, stressed that collaboration between religious institutions and government is indispensable to securing peace, progress, and prosperity.
He noted that in a world challenged by social conflict and economic uncertainty, the synergy between spiritual guidance and governance remains a powerful force for hope. The seminar, he said, offers a platform for practical discussions on strengthening that partnership through shared values, Islamic teachings, and collective wisdom to support Nigeria’s development.
