Tinubu Hails Sultan of Sokoto at 70, Describes Him as Stabilising Voice for Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has sent a heartfelt congratulatory message to the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, describing the revered monarch as a stabilising voice and moral compass for the nation.
In a statement personally signed by the President on Monday in Abuja, Tinubu said the Sultan’s seven decades of life had been defined by a legacy of service, wisdom, and grace. He noted that since ascending the throne of the Sokoto Caliphate nearly two decades ago, Sultan Abubakar has consistently upheld the traditions of scholarship, humility, and unwavering commitment to peace associated with the revered institution.
The President described the Sultan as a bridge-builder across faiths and communities, crediting him with playing a central role in promoting peace, unity, and dialogue across Nigeria’s religiously and ethnically diverse population. Tinubu said he had come to know the Sultan as a leader who speaks truth with compassion, counsels patience without weakness, and champions unity without compromising his convictions.
Tinubu further commended the Sultanate’s longstanding contributions to education, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian service, alongside the Sultan’s consistent advocacy for peaceful coexistence, the dignity of every Nigerian, and the welfare of the girl-child. He described the monarch as a towering figure of conscience and counsel, noting that the Sultan’s palace in Sokoto had increasingly become a place where Nigerians could gather for dialogue and reconciliation, with his words carrying significant weight across the country.
The President recalled the Sultan’s interventions during periods of national grief and division, saying his counsel had consistently offered comfort and encouraged Nigerians to focus on their shared humanity and common destiny during difficult moments in the country’s history. Tinubu added that his administration deeply valued the Sultan’s continued partnership in nation-building, particularly regarding security cooperation, community development, and the broader spiritual wellbeing of Nigerians.
Extending his congratulations on behalf of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the wider Nigerian government, the President prayed for the Sultan’s continued good health and wished him a rewarding new decade of life, expressing hope that his reign would remain a source of blessing, guidance, and honour for the country.
The presidential tribute comes weeks after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu personally visited the Sultan at his palace in Sokoto to express appreciation for his consistent prayers, guidance, and support for the federal government since the administration assumed office, a visit she described as long overdue and deeply symbolic. The Sultan of Sokoto remains one of Nigeria’s most influential traditional and religious leaders, with his office continuing to serve as a key voice for unity and stability across the country’s diverse faith communities.
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