President Bola Tinubu has described the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, as a moral authority and a voice of moderation as the revered monarch marks 20 years on the throne of his forebears.
In a goodwill message issued from the State House in Abuja on Monday, the President said he was joining millions of the Sultan’s subjects and friends at home and abroad to celebrate the milestone.
He addressed the monarch as “My Dear Leader and Esteemed Brother.”
Mr. Tinubu noted that the Sultan ascended the throne 20 years ago with humility, courage and a deep sense of duty.
According to him, the Sultan has not merely preserved the heritage of the Sokoto Caliphate but has enriched and redefined it, turning it into a strong instrument for peace, unity and national development.
The President said he has been struck by the monarch’s wisdom, his calm in moments of tension and his steady commitment to Nigeria. In his words, the Sultan has been more than a traditional ruler, serving as a bridge between faiths and a dependable counsellor to leaders across the country.
He recalled the Sultan’s role as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, saying he has consistently promoted religious harmony and tolerance. As Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, the President added, the Sultan has helped Christians and Muslims find common ground, making Nigeria’s diversity a source of strength rather than division.
Mr. Tinubu also praised the Sultan’s advocacy for peace in the North and across the Sahel, his passion for education, especially for the girl-child, and his support for farmers and public health.
He said the monarch’s quiet but effective interventions for the poor and vulnerable show a reign that is truly people-centred.
On a personal note, the President said he deeply values his friendship with the Sultan, describing his counsel as honest, patriotic and always in the nation’s best interest. He thanked the monarch for his support and for his prayers for Nigeria.
The President prayed that Almighty Allah (SWT) would grant the Sultan good health, long life and renewed wisdom, and that his reign would continue to bring peace to Sokoto, unity to Nigeria and honour to the Ummah.
“Congratulations, Your Eminence,” he said.
