Bianca Ojukwu Highlights Nigeria-Vatican Ties as Tinubu Attends Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presence in Rome for the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV was more than a diplomatic gesture—it was a testament to the growing ties between Nigeria and the Vatican, brought into sharp focus by the compelling insights of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Speaking live from Rome during a broadcast on NTA’s Weekend File, Ojukwu provided critical context behind the President’s high-profile visit. She revealed that Tinubu’s invitation from the Vatican stemmed directly from Pope Leo XIV’s longstanding personal connection to Nigeria—a relationship nurtured through decades of engagement with the country’s Catholic community.

Accompanied by a delegation of prominent Nigerian Catholic leaders—including Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop Alfred Martins, and Bishop Matthew Kukah—President Tinubu landed in the Italian capital ahead of the solemn mass that formally ushered in the papacy of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost.

Bianca Ojukwu emphasized that the Pope’s familiarity with Nigeria played a central role in the Vatican’s decision to extend a personal invitation to President Tinubu. As Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013, Pope Leo XIV—then Fr. Prevost—visited Nigeria nine times, developing deep ties with local clergy and laity alike.

“He is not just spiritually aware of Nigeria, he is emotionally invested,” Ojukwu noted. “His feet have touched the soil of Abuja and Maiduguri. His connection is not symbolic—it is lived experience.”

Even after stepping down as Prior General, Prevost maintained ties with Nigeria, attending events such as the 2016 Mid-Chapter Assembly of the Augustinians in Abuja while serving as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru. Before his papal election, he was scheduled to return to Nigeria in July for the ordination of Augustinian priests—a testament to the consistency of his relationship with the country.

Bianca Ojukwu’s remarks highlighted not only the Pope’s affinity for Nigeria but also the strategic importance of Tinubu’s attendance. She described the president’s presence—despite being a Muslim—as a powerful signal of religious tolerance, diplomacy, and inclusive governance.

“President Tinubu’s acceptance of this invitation speaks volumes about his leadership,” she explained. “In a time when global conflict and division are rampant, he has chosen unity. He’s making it clear that he represents every Nigerian, regardless of faith.”

She further described the significance of Nigeria’s fast-growing Catholic population and the role of religious diplomacy in Africa’s broader geopolitical landscape. Ojukwu argued that Pope Leo XIV’s invitation was both an acknowledgment of Nigeria’s demographic weight and a step toward deepening Vatican engagement with Africa.

“The new pontiff understands Nigeria’s influence, not just within the Church but across the continent,” she said. “And the President’s foreign policy, with its emphasis on peace and religious harmony, is perfectly aligned with the Pope’s vision.”

With Nigeria's Catholic leadership standing beside him in Rome, Tinubu’s attendance marks a renewed chapter in Vatican-African relations—one shaped not only by ecclesiastical respect but by political will and spiritual diplomacy.

Thanks to Bianca Ojukwu’s articulation of the moment’s significance, Nigerians at home and abroad now have a deeper understanding of how past relationships, particularly those built on shared faith and mutual respect, are shaping present-day international engagement.