By Sumaila Ogbaje,
Nigeria is taking bold steps to confront deepening national divisions and unconscious biases as preparations intensify for the National Festival of Tolerance and Peaceful Co-Existence Summit, scheduled for February 2026.
The National Coordinator of the Summit and Managing Director of Pearl Trade West Africa, Ms Ijeoma Akwara, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
Akwara said the summit aimed to strengthen lawful tolerance, rebuild trust and promote peaceful coexistence across communities.
She said the theme, ”Team Nigeria: Inclusion of Diversities against Unconscious Biases”, was a direct response to rising insecurity, communal tensions and widening social fractures.
She described the summit as one of Nigeria’s most strategic peace-building engagements, aimed at reversing distrust and building a more cohesive, inclusive society.
”Nigeria urgently needs a lawful, rights-based culture of tolerance to ensure stability, equality and peaceful resolution of conflicts,” she said.
She said the the summit was in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to build on Nigeria’s commitment to the UNESCO Declaration of the Principles of Tolerance, adopted 30 years ago.
She added that the summit would transform the declaration’s ideals into practical national action.
”The February gathering will prioritise civic education, community early-warning systems for conflict prevention, bias-free media communication, interfaith engagement and stronger collaboration between civilians and security agencies.
”Key programmes to be unveiled include a National Tolerance Education Framework, a Media and Communication Charter on Tolerance, Community Tolerance and Peace Cells, and new youth-driven leadership and values platforms.
”Other programmes include value-driven community intervention projects; internal conflict-prevention partnerships with industry leaders; interfaith and intercultural engagement platforms, and advocacy for presidential approval to designate November 16 as Nigeria’s National Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence Day,” she said.
Akwara also disclosed that a nationwide digital process to select Tolerance and Peace Ambassadors would begin soon, with transparent online voting open to all Nigerians.
She further disclosed that Nigeria would be hosting an International Tolerance and Peace Expo on Nov. 16, 2026, with the participation of West African countries and heads of international organisations.
”Every Nigerian will have the opportunity to participate and support individuals championing peace, respect and diversity.
”The summit will promote lawful and legal tolerance that protects rights, upholds justice and strengthens national unity,” she said. (NAN)
