Former Archbishop of Canterbury Hails Kaduna’s Peace Model

The 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Justin Portal Welby, has lauded the Kaduna State Government for achieving a "marked departure" from its history of ethno-religious volatility, describing the state's current stability as a testament to inclusive leadership.

The renowned global clergyman made these remarks during a high-profile courtesy visit to Governor Uba Sani at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The visit took place on the sidelines of the Archbishop’s engagement as the Guest Speaker for the 45th Convocation Lecture at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

Reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the region, Archbishop Welby recalled his first visit to Kaduna in 2002, a period he characterised as being defined by deep divisions, suspicion, and recurrent violent crises. He noted that the visible transformation in the state’s social fabric since that time prompted him to personally acknowledge the administration's progress.

"The relative peace, unity, and stability presently evident across Kaduna informed my decision to visit," the Archbishop stated, according to official reports. He emphasised that the state’s evolution offers a beacon of hope for pluralistic societies, demonstrating that reconciliation is possible through sustained dialogue and a rejection of identity-based politics.

Governor Uba Sani, in his response, described the visit as a significant moment that "transcended protocol," viewing the Archbishop’s commendation as an affirmation of the state’s "Kaduna Peace Model". This governance framework, the Governor explained, is built on the pillars of dialogue, equity, justice, and the intentional spread of development across all communities regardless of their religious or ethnic leanings.

The Governor highlighted that his administration has recorded no major ethno-religious conflicts since assuming office in May 2023. He attributed this success to a steadfast refusal to allow identity to become a fault line for instability, noting that the peace currently enjoyed by residents is the result of deliberate policy choices rather than accident.

"Over the past two and a half years, this model has yielded measurable results, most notably the absence of ethno-religious conflict in a state once synonymous with division," Governor Sani said during the meeting. He reaffirmed his commitment to replacing "fear with trust and suspicion with shared purpose", ensuring that every community feels a sense of belonging in the state’s developmental agenda.

The meeting concluded with the Archbishop encouraging the state government to remain consistent on its path of reconciliation. 

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