Former Archbishop Lauds Nigeria's Kaduna Peace Revival

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby returned to Nigeria's Kaduna State last weekend and found something he never expected: peace where violence once ruled.

Welby first visited Kaduna in 2002, when deep ethnic and religious divisions tore communities apart and recurring violence made headlines worldwide. On Saturday, he returned as a guest speaker at Ahmadu Bello University and made a special visit to Governor Uba Sani to acknowledge the dramatic change.

"What I see today is very different from what I encountered in 2002," Welby said during his courtesy visit to the state government house. "The peace and sense of unity are evident, and that does not happen by accident."

Kaduna State sits in Nigeria's Middle Belt, where cultural and religious differences have historically sparked deadly conflicts. For years, the region became synonymous with communal crises that displaced thousands and deepened mistrust between groups.

Governor Sani credits what his administration calls the "Kaduna Peace Model" for the turnaround. The approach prioritizes dialogue over division and ensures government policies reach all communities fairly, regardless of ethnic or religious identity.

"The absence of ethno-religious crises during this period is not accidental," Sani explained. "It is the result of intentional leadership choices and a rejection of identity-based politics."

Over the past two and a half years, the state government has focused on replacing fear with trust through inclusive development projects. Instead of playing groups against each other, leaders have consistently chosen conversation and equity in resource distribution.

The Ripple Effect

Welby believes Kaduna's transformation offers a roadmap for divided societies worldwide. He emphasized that lasting peace requires more than temporary ceasefires; it demands governance rooted in justice, fairness and respect for human dignity across all differences.

The former Archbishop's endorsement carries weight beyond Nigeria's borders. As the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide until his 2024 retirement, Welby spent decades mediating conflicts and promoting reconciliation in divided regions.

His public recognition of Kaduna's progress sends a powerful message: even deeply fractured communities can heal when leaders commit to dialogue over discord. The state's experience proves that intentional peacebuilding policies can create measurable change within just a few years.

Governor Sani pledged to consolidate these gains and continue building trust across communities. His administration views sustainable peace not as a final destination but as an ongoing commitment requiring consistent effort and inclusive vision.

For a state once defined by its divisions, Kaduna is writing a new story about what becomes possible when leaders choose unity over identity politics.