The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) have signed a peace accord aimed at promoting religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and responsible political participation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The agreement was signed in Abuja during the 2026 National Christian Youth Security Summit and Thanksgiving organised by YOWICAN at the National Christian Centre.
The summit, held under the theme “Empowered for Leadership, Service and Nation Building,” brought together Christian and Muslim youth leaders, security officials, government representatives and youth delegates from across the country.
The accord was signed by YOWICAN national chairman, Ademola Daniel Arowolo, and NACOMYO national president, Sani Sulaimon-Maigoro. Under the agreement, the two youth organisations committed themselves to promoting interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence while rejecting religious intolerance, political violence, vote-buying and the manipulation of religion for political purposes.
Arowolo described the agreement as a “covenant of hope,” saying Christian and Muslim youths have a responsibility to work together for peace, justice, tolerance and national development.
He said the accord was intended to strengthen cooperation between young Christians and Muslims and encourage them to resist attempts to exploit religious differences for political or other interests.
Sulaimon-Maigoro similarly said Muslim youths were joining their Christian counterparts in promoting solidarity and a peaceful Nigeria. He stressed the importance of interfaith cooperation in addressing security challenges and preventing young people from being manipulated into violence.
The agreement comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with religious and political leaders repeatedly warning against the use of religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments to deepen divisions.
At the youth security summit, defence minister Christopher Musa also urged young Nigerians to reject hate speech, religious intolerance, ethnic prejudice and violence, warning against the manipulation of youths into political thuggery, extremism and other forms of insecurity.
Beyond the signing ceremony, YOWICAN and NACOMYO said the peace commitment would be taken to Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, states, local government areas and communities.
The two organisations are expected to work with religious, community and other stakeholders to strengthen interfaith engagement and discourage actions capable of escalating religious tension before, during and after the 2027 elections.