Oluwatobi Adu 
President Bola Tinubu receives Archbishop Paul Gallagher at the Presidential Villa.
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria Holy See relations enter a new chapter as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hosts Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Vatican.
The meeting takes place on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja as both parties celebrate five decades of diplomatic relations and reaffirm their commitment to deeper cooperation.
Archbishop Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, is visiting Nigeria as part of anniversary activities aimed at strengthening collaboration in education, peacebuilding, humanitarian services and interfaith dialogue.
The Vatican envoy is also scheduled to visit educational institutions managed in partnership with the Catholic Church and hold discussions with community leaders and stakeholders to promote peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.
Nigeria maintains one of the Catholic Church’s largest communities in Africa, with more than 30 million Catholics, over 10,000 priests and the continent’s highest number of Catholic bishops.
Officials say the anniversary reflects the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the Holy See in advancing humanitarian initiatives, social development and religious harmony.
“The visit of Archbishop Gallagher is very significant on this 50th anniversary of our bilateral relations with the Holy See. A reception to commemorate this milestone and the unveiling of the golden anniversary plaque takes place on Monday 6th July 2026,” officials say.
The visit is expected to reinforce diplomatic engagement between both parties while expanding cooperation in education, community development and peace initiatives.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwafunbi Bello 