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“Justice must be at the heart of Nigeria's democratic life,” he said. “We must refuse every attempt to turn ethnic or religious differences into sources of hatred.”
Pillay noted that Nigeria's diversity is not a weakness. “Nigeria is a young nation, and its young people are among its greatest resources,” he said. “Young people do not need to be given only a voice during elections; they need to have a place at the table where decisions are made.”
Pillay also emphasized that women are central to the life and resilience of Nigerian society—yet they remain underrepresented in many centres of political decision-making. “A just Nigeria cannot be built while half of its population remains inadequately represented,” he said.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, Pillay appealed to political leaders not to win elections by destroying the nation they seek to govern. “Do not exploit religion or ethnicity,” he said. “Do not finance violence.”
Pillay said that the church must remain prophetic without becoming partisan. “We must teach our people that political disagreement does not make us enemies,” he said. “We must work with our Muslim sisters and brothers and other faith communities to build bridges of understanding.”
Nigeria is more important than any election, Pillay reflected. “Let us therefore protect Nigeria's unity,” he said. “Let us strengthen its democracy.”
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World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay addressing participants of the ecumenical service at All Saints Anglican Church in Abuja, Nigeria, on 26 August 2026.
Omotayo Akanbi/WCC
Many voices, one witness
Prayers particularly emphasized peace, security, justice, and the forthcoming 2027 general elections. Those gathered also prayed for families and all those experiencing suffering, hardship, and affliction.
Archbishop Filibus Musa of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria offered a reflection entitled “Many voices, one witness,” expressing the joy of gathering. “This is important for us as Christians,” he said. “Christian unity does not require uniformity.”
He noted that those gathered came from different traditions, histories, theological emphases, cultures, and languages. “Yet our differences need not become walls between us,” he said. “They can become gifts through which we hear more clearly what God is saying to the church and to the world.”
Our world is fragile, and Nigeria is not exempted, Musa continued. "In the midst of all that is happening around us, what is God calling the church to be and to do?” he asked. “The Spirit calls us to be a witnessing people—to proclaim the mighty works of God and to make those works visible in the way we live together.”
In a deeply divided world, Musa said, our unity itself becomes part of our witness. “This is one reason why the World Council of Churches matters,” he said. “It brings churches together so that our many voices can become a common witness that none of us can adequately offer alone.”
Musa emphasized that the WCC reminds us that the church of Jesus Christ is larger than any one denomination, nation, or tradition. “We belong to one another because we belong to Christ,” he said.
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Archbishop Filibus Musa of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria delivering the reflection during the Ecumanical service in Abuja, 26 August 2026.
Omotayo Akanbi/WCC
An ecumenical welcome address from the WCC president from Africa, His Eminence Most Rev. Dr Rufus Okikiola Ositelu, primate of the Church of the Lord (Aladura), was read by His Eminence Rev. Dr Israel Akanji, a WCC central committee member from Nigeria.
Ositelu expressed joy at Pillay’s historic visit to Nigeria. “We wish to express our profound appreciation to the WCC for the visionary decision to relocate the Africa Regional Programme Office to Abuja,” he noted. “This milestone has significantly strengthened the WCC's engagement with African churches and enhanced the visibility and accessibility of its ministry across the continent.”
Ositelu further commented that Pillay’s visit comes at a critical moment in the life of Nigeria. “We are equally concerned by recurring incidents of afro-phobic attacks and the unfair treatment experienced by many Nigerians in parts of Africa, particularly in South Africa,” he said. “We therefore invite the World Council of Churches and the entire global ecumenical fellowship to continue standing with Nigeria in prayer and solidarity during this important period.”
Ositelu said that churches felt encouraged to continue their common Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.
“Once again, we warmly welcome you to Nigeria,” he said. “May Almighty God bless your visit abundantly, grant you wisdom and strength in your ministry, and continue to bless the World Council of Churches as it serves the global Christian community.”
Prayers were also offered by Rev. Dr Daniel Abaya, a former student of the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey and president of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. A final prayer was offered by His Most Eminence Rev. Dr Bob Manuel, prelate of Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Worldwide.
The service was followed by a meeting between the WCC general secretary and representatives of the WCC member churches in Nigeria, with each member church represented by five delegates.
WCC general secretary to visit Nigeria to strengthen bonds (WCC news release, 19 August 2026)
