The Right Reverend Justin Welby, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, is set to visit Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to lead a high-level discussion on fostering peace and national unity in Nigeria. The 105th Archbishop, who led the Church of England from 2013 until 2024, will deliver a public lecture titled “Building Inter-Ethnic and Religious Harmony in Nigeria: Pathways to National Unity.”
Scheduled for January 29, the event is a centerpiece of the university’s 45th Convocation Ceremony. The lecture will be held at the Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre on the Samaru Main Campus and will be chaired by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the ABU Governing Council, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed.
The lecture is expected to draw a significant audience of national leaders, including former presidents, state governors, ministers, and prominent traditional and religious figures. Awwalu Umar, ABU’s Director of Public Affairs, confirmed on Monday that Welby accepted the invitation as part of his lifelong commitment to peace-building and global reconciliation efforts.
Welby’s connection to Nigeria runs deep. Long before his time as Archbishop, he served as Co-Director of Coventry Cathedral’s International Centre for Reconciliation, where he often worked in high-risk conflict zones across Africa and the Middle East. Most notably, in 2005, he played a pivotal role in negotiating a peaceful resolution between the Ogoni people and Shell Oil Company over environmental and human rights disputes in the Niger Delta.
Beyond his work in conflict resolution, Welby is widely respected for his expertise in corporate and financial ethics. In 2012, he served on the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards in the United Kingdom, where he advised lawmakers following the LIBOR interest rate manipulation scandal. His influence has also been felt on the world’s biggest stages; he officiated the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and presided over the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
By bringing a figure of such international standing to Zaria, ABU aims to provide a platform for a meaningful dialogue on the social and religious dynamics currently shaping Nigeria’s future. Welby’s unique blend of theological leadership and practical experience in mediation is expected to offer valuable insights into how the nation can navigate its path toward lasting stability.
