The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Right Reverend Justin Welby, will deliver a public lecture on inter-ethnic and religious harmony at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, as part of activities marking the institution’s 45th Convocation Ceremony.
Welby, who served as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2013 until his resignation in 2024, will speak on the theme: “Building Inter-Ethnic and Religious Harmony in Nigeria: Pathways to National Unity.”
The lecture is scheduled for January 29 at the Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre, ABU Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
The event will be chaired by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the ABU Governing Council.
Dignitaries Expected
A wide range of dignitaries are expected to attend the one-day lecture, including former Nigerian leaders, ministers, governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and socio-cultural organisations.
According to ABU’s Director of Public Affairs, Awwalu Umar, Welby accepted the university’s invitation as part of his contribution to ongoing dialogue on peacebuilding and national cohesion.
Welby is widely recognized for his work in reconciliation and conflict resolution. As Co-Director of Coventry Cathedral’s International Centre for Reconciliation, he worked with Anglican missions to resolve conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, often under violent conditions.
In 2005, he helped negotiate a peaceful settlement between Shell Oil Company and the Ogoni people of Nigeria, amid claims of environmental pollution and violent suppression of protests.
He has continued to engage in reconciliation efforts globally while also writing on ethical and financial matters.
Contributions Beyond the Church
In 2012, Welby served on the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards, advising lawmakers on corporate ethics.
That same year, he assisted in investigating banking standards following the LIBOR scandal, which revealed manipulation of global interest rate benchmarks by major British banks.
As Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby officiated at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022, and presided over the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023.
In recognition of the UK’s diverse communities, the coronation regalia was presented by Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh members of the House of Lords.
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