Religious Freedom Emerges as Foundation for National Stability and Economic Growth at Gombe Faith Summit
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In an increasingly fragile global environment where instability and division threaten both social cohesion and economic progress, Nigeria’s religious and community leaders have gathered in Gombe to reaffirm a powerful truth: sustainable development cannot exist without freedom, tolerance and mutual respect.
At a pivotal Town Hall Meeting organised by Faith and Freedom Africa (FFA), a cross-section of 46 influential voices from government, legal, religious, traditional and civil society institutions united around one central mission — to strengthen Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) as a critical pillar for peace, national unity and long-term prosperity.
In a hall filled with imams, pastors, traditional rulers, women leaders, youth advocates and governance experts, FFA’s Country Representative, Felix Samari, delivered a clear and uncompromising message: religious freedom is not a favour granted by authority, but a guaranteed right embedded in international law and firmly protected by Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution.
He explained that FoRB protects every citizen’s right to their conscience, their worship and their belief system, without fear of intimidation, discrimination or coercion. According to him, nations that protect these freedoms experience higher levels of stability, trust and investment confidence, while those that violate them often descend into cycles of crisis, unrest and underdevelopment.
“Nigeria’s diversity should be its greatest strength,” Samari noted, “but only when every faith — and every citizen — is treated with dignity and fairness. Where tolerance grows, development follows.”
The Gombe event is part of a nationwide initiative by Faith and Freedom Africa to counter rising intolerance and prevent faith-based conflict by strengthening dialogue and grassroots awareness. Prior to the Gombe engagement, similar forums were convened in Jalingo, Kaduna and Makurdi — communities that have faced various degrees of religious and communal tension in recent years.
Earlier this year in Abuja, the advocacy reached iconic grounds when Christian and Muslim leaders met at the National Ecumenical Centre and the National Mosque. These symbolic gatherings sent a strong signal that Nigeria’s most influential religious institutions are aligned in defending the peaceful coexistence that underpins national unity and economic confidence.
Participants in Gombe spoke candidly about the continued challenges they face at the community level. Rising mistrust between neighbours of different beliefs, the spread of misinformation through social media platforms, and inflammatory statements by unregulated voices in positions of influence were identified as key threats to peace.
Across the discussions, one resounding consensus emerged: intolerance is not only a social problem; it is an economic risk. It disrupts trade, discourages investment, displaces families, affects education and fractures the stability needed for entrepreneurship and productivity to thrive. 
Religious and traditional leaders were therefore challenged to recognise the power of their voices. They were reminded that a sermon, a public statement or a simple instruction can either defuse tension or ignite conflict. With that influence comes responsibility — to promote respect, restraint and shared humanity in increasingly polarised communities.
The participants committed to taking the message of the Town Hall beyond conference halls into public spaces that shape everyday life: schools, markets, religious centres, neighbourhood associations and remote rural communities. Their goal is to turn knowledge into action by addressing intolerance at its roots, where misunderstandings and fear are often born.
There was also a strong call for government intervention and institutional support. Participants insisted that laws protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief must be actively enforced, not just written into the Constitution. They urged authorities at federal, state and local levels to act swiftly when violations occur and to adopt proactive measures that prevent escalation before conflict erupts.
For business leaders, investors and policymakers, the implications of the Gombe summit are profound. Peace and stability are the bedrock of any functioning economy. Without them, markets shrink, productivity declines and talent is forced to migrate. In this sense, FoRB is no longer just a moral or religious issue — it has become a strategic requirement for national development.
Faith and Freedom Africa, reaffirming its long-term mission, pledged to continue expanding its outreach programmes across Nigeria, strengthening interfaith dialogue, equipping community leaders and bridging divides where suspicion and ignorance once ruled.
As Nigeria looks toward a future driven by innovation, enterprise and regional leadership, the message from Gombe remains unmistakable: a nation that protects the right to believe, protects its future.
From the streets of Gombe to the corridors of power in Abuja, a new movement is taking shape — one that recognises Freedom of Religion or Belief not only as a human right, but as a national investment in peace, unity and prosperity.
And as Faith and Freedom Africa deepens its journey across the nation, one truth stands tall: when Nigerians learn to live together in mutual respect, the entire country rises together in strength and opportunity.
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