LAGOS, Nigeria — In a remarkable display of interfaith cooperation, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has built a mosque for his Muslim neighbours in Oke‑Afa, Isolo, Lagos State, sparking conversations on peaceful religious co‑existence across faith communities.
The mosque, unveiled on February 14, 2026, was commissioned during a ceremony attended by both Christian and Muslim faithful.
The project was personally funded by Primate Ayodele and constructed beside the existing church facility, marking a rare gesture of bridge-building between Nigeria’s major faith communities.
Speaking at the handover, Primate Ayodele said the initiative was aimed at promoting mutual respect, interfaith dialogue, and community unity, especially in a nation where religious tensions sometimes flare.
“This mosque is not just a building; it is a symbol of our commitment to peace and cooperation,” he said.
Local Muslim leaders praised the gesture, describing it as a timely example of collaboration and goodwill. Some commentators said that acts like this can foster trust, improve interfaith understanding and tolerance, and help prevent conflict in mixed-faith neighborhoods.
The mosque project also forms part of the church’s annual outreach programme, combining spiritual engagement with practical social initiatives.
It has facilities to accommodate worshippers comfortably and is designed to serve as a community hub for education and meetings.
Nigeria’s religious landscape, particularly in urban areas like Lagos, is characterised by a vibrant mix of Christians and Muslims.
While tensions occasionally arise over social, political, or security issues, projects like this demonstrate the potential for faith leaders to create a harmonious interfaith co-existence.
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