The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for fostering religious tolerance in Nigeria, describing the President’s inclusive approach as a key driver of the nation’s recent economic progress.
The Sultan gave this commendation on Saturday at the official commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Darul’Ilm Centre for Islamic Studies in Kaduna. The educational institution was constructed and donated by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Tosin Ajayi.
In his address, the Sultan urged Nigerians to look beyond religious and ethnic divisions, pointing out that the prosperity and unity of many advanced nations stemmed from their ability to rise above such differences. He praised President Tinubu for appointing Mr. Ajayi as DSS Director-General, describing the move as strategic in building bridges of unity and cooperation across the country.
The Sultan expressed admiration for Mr. Ajayi—a Christian—for initiating and completing an Islamic school for orphans and underprivileged children, calling it “a legacy project that will outlive most of us here.” He described the gesture as a powerful message of unity and mutual respect, encouraging Nigerians to emulate such noble acts to foster peace and national development.
“This kind of interfaith collaboration shows that we can bridge our divides. When people of different religions and backgrounds work together, it reinforces national unity,” the Sultan stated. He also acknowledged the presence of leaders from various security agencies at the event as a testament to the synergy and mutual trust among Nigeria’s security institutions.
Representing the DSS DG, retired DSS Director Alhaji Ahmed Zalmar revealed that Mr. Ajayi conceived the idea for the Islamic centre during his years of service in Kaduna. He explained that under the DSS’s mandate to safeguard internal security, he identified reducing public discontent as a strategic tool against subversion.
“Education is one of the most effective ways to counter discontent and promote stability,” Mr. Ajayi stated through his representative. “This Islamic school is part of a broader strategy aligned with President Tinubu’s vision to strengthen internal security through both conventional and non-conventional approaches.”
The DSS DG emphasized that the school was funded through personal efforts, corporate social responsibility contributions, and support from friends and partners—not through operational or government budgetary funds. He noted similar social intervention projects, including places of worship, sports centres, and other community-focused facilities aimed at supporting vulnerable groups.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun—accompanied by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu—highlighted the importance of education to Nigeria’s long-term development. He lauded President Tinubu’s commitment to faith-based education and school feeding programs, emphasizing that such initiatives are crucial as Nigeria positions itself for a future where a significant portion of the global workforce will be African.
“By 2050, Africa will account for 25% of the world’s workforce, with a large portion from Nigeria,” Mr. Edun said. He added that despite challenges, Nigeria is witnessing measurable progress in economic growth, stabilizing inflation, improving foreign reserves, and reducing food and energy prices.
The well-attended commissioning ceremony also featured several high-profile dignitaries, including Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, representing Governor Uba Sani; Hon. Dahiru Liman, Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, representing House Speaker Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi; the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Bamalli; and several serving and retired DSS directors.