President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the throne, commending his contributions to religious harmony, national unity and peacebuilding.

The President conveyed his congratulations in a letter personally signed on Monday, November 2, 2026, describing the Sultan as a respected moral authority, a voice of moderation and a trusted adviser to Nigerian leaders across generations.

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Tinubu praised the monarch’s two decades of leadership, noting that he had not only preserved the historic institution of the Sokoto Caliphate but also strengthened its role in promoting peace, unity and national development.

He described the Sultan as more than a traditional ruler, highlighting his influence in bridging religious divides and encouraging peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

According to the President, the monarch has consistently demonstrated commitment to religious tolerance and dialogue, particularly through his leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and his position as Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

Tinubu noted that under the Sultan’s leadership, Christians and Muslims had continued to find common ground, turning Nigeria’s religious diversity into an opportunity for unity rather than division.

The President also recognised the Sultan’s contributions to peace advocacy across northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region, particularly in addressing conflicts and promoting peaceful coexistence.

He highlighted the monarch’s support for girl-child education, advocacy for farmers and interventions aimed at assisting poor and vulnerable members of society.

Tinubu further acknowledged the Sultan’s personal support and guidance, describing their friendship as valuable and his counsel as consistently patriotic and guided by Nigeria’s national interest.

The President expressed gratitude for the monarch’s continued support and prayers for the country, while wishing him good health, long life and greater wisdom.

He also prayed that the Sultan’s reign would continue to bring peace to Sokoto, unity to Nigeria and honour to the Muslim community.

Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III ascended the throne of the Sokoto Caliphate on November 2, 2006, becoming the 20th Sultan of Sokoto.

His emergence followed the death of his predecessor, Sultan Muhammadu Maccido, who was among the 96 people killed when ADC Airlines Flight 053 crashed near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on October 29, 2006. The aircraft was carrying 105 people.

Before becoming Sultan, Abubakar had a distinguished military career spanning nearly three decades.

A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1974 and served in various command and staff positions, including international peacekeeping assignments under the United Nations.

He retired from the military with the rank of Brigadier-General in December 2006.

Over his 20-year reign, the Sultan has played a prominent role in peacebuilding efforts involving intercommunal conflicts between farmers and herders, the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East and ethno-religious tensions across the Middle Belt.

As President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, he serves as the country’s highest-ranking Islamic traditional and religious authority.

He also co-chairs the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council alongside the Christian leadership, providing a platform for dialogue and cooperation between Muslims and Christians.

The Sultan has additionally maintained his advocacy for girl-child education, an issue that has remained a subject of debate in parts of northern Nigeria.

The Sokoto Caliphate, established in 1804 by Islamic scholar Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, remains one of the most influential traditional Islamic institutions in sub-Saharan Africa, with the Sultan holding considerable spiritual influence among Muslims across Nigeria.

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Tinubu’s congratulatory message marks a significant milestone in the monarch’s reign, recognising his longstanding role in religious leadership, national dialogue and efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.