By Ismail Bello Ozugha
Chairman, The Companion 7th National Discourse Planning Committee 2026
The 7th National Discourse of The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, has brought together political leaders, academics, professionals, religious scholars and other stakeholders to examine one of Nigeria’s most enduring challenges: how to manage the country’s enormous diversity while building a united and functional democratic society.
The high-level discourse was held on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, under the broad theme, “Nigeria’s Political Landscape and the Ethno-Religious Divides.” The lecture focused specifically on “Interrogating Nigeria’s Democracy in the Context of Multiple Diversity.”
The event featured prominent personalities, including Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Adams Oshiomhole; former Kano State Governor and former Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salis; and former Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Professor Liasu Adele Jinadu.
A NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON DIVERSITY
In his welcome address, the National Amir of The Companion, Imam Nojeem Jimoh, explained that the discourse was conceived as more than an ordinary public lecture. It was intended as a national conversation about Nigeria’s democratic experience and the ways in which the country’s multiple identities affect governance, political participation and national development.
Nigeria’s diversity, he noted, covers ethnicity, religion, language, culture, region, economic circumstances and social interests.
While these differences can provide enormous strength and opportunities for development, poor management of diversity can also create tension, political manipulation and division.
Imam Jimoh,therefore,called on Nigerians to examine not only the problems confronting the nation’s democracy but also the responsibility of citizens to contribute to building a democratic system that works for everyone.
He had earlier particularly encouraged young Nigerians to participate in the conversation, arguing that their ideas, aspirations and concerns must be part of discussions about the country’s democratic future.
HAMZAT: NIGERIA NEEDS A STRONGER NATIONAL IDENTITY
One of the major messages from the event came from Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, who called on Nigerians to deliberately build a stronger national identity capable of transcending ethnic, religious and cultural differences.
Hamzat argued that Nigeria’s diversity should not be viewed as something that must be eliminated. Rather, the challenge is to develop political and social systems capable of accommodating different identities without allowing them to become instruments of division.
He stressed that Nigerians must learn to accommodate their differences while simultaneously promoting a shared national identity.
According to him, the central challenge is finding a way to reconcile Nigeria’s diverse cultures and identities with democratic governance without losing the country’s cultural heritage.
The Deputy Governor also called for greater religious tolerance. He urged Nigerians to respect other faiths and avoid using religion as a basis for discrimination or conflict. He maintained that sincere adherence to the fundamental teachings of Islam and Christianity—particularly values such as justice, fairness, respect and peaceful coexistence—would contribute to a better society.
JINADU EXAMINES THE ROOTS OF ETHNIC POLITICS
Professor Liasu Adele Jinadu provided an academic and historical perspective on the country’s political challenges.
In his lecture, he examined the relationship between Nigeria’s democratic development and its ethnic and regional divisions, tracing some of the country’s contemporary political difficulties to the colonial period.
Jinadu argued that ethnicity has historically been exploited by political elites as a means of building patronage networks and securing political support. In the process, ethnic considerations have sometimes overshadowed questions of competence, accountability, good governance and national interest.
He warned that the manipulation of ethnic identity can weaken institutions and provide cover for political impunity, corruption and abuse of power.
For Jinadu, the answer lies in strengthening citizenship and ensuring that Nigerians can participate meaningfully in governance regardless of their ethnic, religious or regional backgrounds.
He called for a political system that places citizenship, human security and human development above narrow ethnic interests, while ensuring that citizens enjoy economic and social opportunities, transparency, security and fundamental freedoms.
OSHIOMHOLE AND THE POLITICS OF COMPETENCE
Senator Adams Oshiomhole also joined the call for Nigerians to reject the weaponisation of ethnicity in politics.
The former Edo State governor warned against a political culture in which ethnic identity becomes a substitute for ideas, competence and effective leadership.
The message was particularly significant in the context of Nigeria’s multi-ethnic political environment, where identity can sometimes influence political choices more strongly than a candidate’s record or policy proposals.
The emphasis was,therefore, placed on developing a political culture in which Nigerians judge leaders by their competence, character, ideas, performance and commitment to the public good rather than simply by where they come from.
SHEKARAU ADVOCATES RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDING
Former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who chaired the event, also contributed to the conversation on religious diversity.
His intervention reinforced the importance of understanding and respecting religious differences. Rather than allowing religion to become a source of suspicion and confrontation, participants were encouraged to recognise the shared values of justice, compassion, peace and respect that exist within the country’s major faith traditions.
The message emerging from the discussion was that religious identity should not prevent Nigerians from developing a common sense of citizenship and shared responsibility for the nation’s future.
BEYOND POLITICS
A significant feature of the discourse was its attempt to move the conversation beyond electoral politics.
The speakers connected diversity with wider questions of governance, development, inclusion, security, social justice and national cohesion. The underlying argument was that democracy cannot be reduced to elections alone. It must also provide citizens with meaningful participation, fairness, accountability, security and opportunities for development.
This perspective gave the event a broader significance. Instead of asking only who should govern Nigeria, the discourse challenged participants to consider how Nigeria should be governed and how its democratic institutions can serve citizens across ethnic, religious, regional and social boundaries.
THE COMPANION’S ROLE
The 7th National Discourse also demonstrated The Companion’s continuing effort to provide a platform for national engagement.
The association brought together people from different sectors and backgrounds to discuss issues that affect the country as a whole. The presence of political leaders, academics, professionals, religious figures and members of civil society reflected the organisers’ desire to make the conversation broad and inclusive.
FREE MEDICAL CHECK UP
The programme was also designed to have a practical community dimension. Ahead of the event, the association announced a free medical check-up for interested participants, to be conducted before and during the programme. It was a huge success. The turn out was impressive and massive.
The screening commenced at 8:00am and concluded at approximately 2:00pm.
A total of 162 participants were screened for hypertension, diabetes, obesity and Hepatitis B infection.
In addition, 106 persons received eye screening with 50 participants provided with glasses.
Men aged 40 years and above were also offered PSA testing for prostate cancer screening. Those with major ailments were referred to appropriate health institutions.
Fajim Medical Foundation collaborated with The Companion to achieve this feat.
A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
At the heart of the 7th National Discourse was a simple but profound question: Can Nigeria turn its diversity from a source of political division into an asset for national development?
The consensus from the speakers was that the answer depends largely on the willingness of Nigerians to build institutions and attitudes that promote fairness, tolerance, accountability and inclusion.
The event also emphasised that responsibility for Nigeria’s future does not rest solely with politicians. Professionals, business leaders, students, religious leaders, civil servants and ordinary citizens all have roles to play in strengthening democracy and national cohesion.
The Companion 7th National Discourse, therefore, ended as more than a discussion about ethnicity and religion. It became a call for Nigerians to rethink the meaning of citizenship and to place the national interest above narrow identities.
As the country continues to navigate political, economic and social challenges, the message from the main auditorium of University of Lagos on August 23 was clear: Nigeria’s diversity is a reality, but division is a choice.
The task before citizens and leaders is to build a democratic culture in which differences are accommodated, identities are respected and a common Nigerian identity is strengthened.