The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, on Wednesday received a delegation of the Community of Sant’Egidio, led by Professor Jan De Volder and Professor Stefano Orlando, at Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja. The delegation was accompanied by officials of the Embassy of Italy in Nigeria.
The meeting followed earlier engagements between the Community and the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and focused on strengthening cooperation in peacebuilding, mediation, interfaith dialogue, humanitarian assistance, youth development and support for vulnerable communities.
Professor De Volder briefed the Permanent Secretary on Sant’Egidio’s activities in Nigeria, including its presence across several states and its grassroots initiatives in peacebuilding, education, poverty reduction and community dialogue. He also conveyed an invitation to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs to participate in the 40th International Meeting for Peace, scheduled to hold in Assisi, Italy, in October 2026.
The delegation further proposed the development of a formal framework for cooperation between Nigeria and the Community of Sant’Egidio to support sustained engagement in areas of mutual interest.
In his response, Ambassador Ahmed commended Sant’Egidio’s longstanding commitment to peace, reconciliation and humanitarian service. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to partnerships with faith-based and civil society organisations that promote peaceful coexistence, social inclusion and conflict prevention.
The Permanent Secretary highlighted possible areas of collaboration, including youth leadership and vocational training, interfaith engagement, support for displaced and vulnerable persons, education, healthcare, poverty alleviation and community-based peace initiatives.
Both sides agreed to continue consultations towards establishing an appropriate framework for cooperation and promoting joint programmes in Nigeria.
Signed:
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr
Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
