In the past week, I undertook a journey that combined duty, reflection, and prayer — a journey that reminded me of the power of faith, the importance of leadership, and the need for moral renewal in our country. My travels took me first to the United States of America and then to Rome, the heart of Christendom, where I joined my beloved wife in a pilgrimage of prayer for Nigeria.
My two-day trip to the United States began with a deep sense of responsibility — to continue engaging with the global community on the challenges and hopes of Nigeria. On Saturday, October 4, I addressed the Friendship Club, a gathering of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria dedicated to promoting dialogue and collaboration on governance, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.
In my remarks, I spoke about the urgent need for Nigeria to rebuild trust between leaders and the led, to restore faith in governance, and to prioritise the welfare of citizens. I reminded my audience that leadership is not about personal gain but about service — about ensuring that every Nigerian child, regardless of background, has access to education, healthcare, and opportunity.
On Sunday, October 5, I was honoured to speak at the First Ubuntu African Youth Assembly in Washington, D.C. The event brought together vibrant young Africans from across the continent and the diaspora. I shared with them my conviction that Africa’s renaissance will come through its youth — through education, innovation, and the values of integrity, discipline, and empathy.
After my engagements in Washington, I departed that same night for Rome, where my wife was already waiting. Our purpose there was not political but spiritual — to dedicate time to prayer for our nation at a moment of great need.
This year marks a Jubilee Year, a special season of grace and forgiveness celebrated every twenty-five years by the Catholic Church. My wife and I chose to use this sacred occasion to offer prayers for Nigeria — for healing, unity, and renewal.
With hearts full of gratitude, we thanked God that despite our many challenges, He has kept Nigeria together for sixty-five years since independence. In a world fractured by division and conflict, our continued unity is a divine gift that we must cherish.
Yet, our prayers also carried a plea — that God forgive us for our collective failings as a nation: for injustice, greed, corruption, and neglect of the poor. We prayed for divine intervention in the suffering of the Nigerian people — for children denied education, families burdened by poverty, and communities torn apart by insecurity.
We asked that God raise leaders who will embody truth, humility, and selflessness; leaders who understand that power is a call to service, not privilege; leaders whose actions reflect competence, compassion, and character.
On Tuesday, October 7, as part of our pilgrimage, we passed through three of the four Holy Doors of Rome’s major Papal Basilicas — a symbolic act of seeking God’s mercy and grace.
Our first stop was the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where we prayed at the Holy Door and reflected at the tomb of the late Pope Francis. There, we gave thanks for the enduring faith of millions of Nigerians who continue to hope in God amid hardship.
From there, we journeyed to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where we were warmly received by Cardinal James Harvey. The Cardinal shared the basilica’s rich history and the spiritual meaning of the Jubilee Year — a time of repentance, reconciliation, and renewal. He then led us through the Holy Door, where we prayed fervently for Nigeria’s rebirth.
Our third stop was the Basilica of St. John Lateran, dedicated to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. Together with other pilgrims, we prayed that God would open a new chapter for Nigeria — one marked by peace, justice, and prosperity.
We concluded the day at the Scala Sancta — the Holy Steps believed to be the very steps Jesus ascended before Pontius Pilate. Kneeling on those steps, I prayed with a heavy yet hopeful heart for Nigeria — that the nation might rise again through faith, truth, and moral courage.
An Audience with His Holiness
On Wednesday, October 8, we attended the Papal General Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica, where His Holiness Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) delivered a catechesis on hope, perseverance, and steadfast faith in times of trial. His message resonated deeply with the Nigerian experience — a people enduring hardship yet never losing faith.
After the audience, we passed through the final Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, thus completing our pilgrimage through the four doors — a journey of faith, renewal, and thanksgiving.
We were privileged to be received in private audience by the Holy Father, to whom we humbly appealed for prayers for Nigeria — for peace, justice, and divine wisdom for our leaders. The Pope graciously assured us of his prayers and expressed deep concern for Africa’s progress, particularly Nigeria’s role as a moral and economic leader on the continent.
Throughout our time in Rome, we met numerous Nigerian pilgrims — men and women of faith, clergy and laity alike — whose faces radiated quiet hope. Their words reminded me of the enduring strength of our people. Despite economic hardship, insecurity, and uncertainty, Nigerians continue to believe in a better tomorrow.
Together, we prayed that our nation may rediscover its moral compass and that every Nigerian may experience peace, dignity, and opportunity in their lifetime.
I believe deeply in the power of prayer, in God’s providence, and in His unfailing mercy. Yet faith must be matched with responsibility. Prayer is not a substitute for action; it is a call to it.
As we lift Nigeria before God, we must also rise to our civic and moral duties — to live with honesty, to serve with diligence, and to care for one another. Every citizen, from the marketplace to the halls of power, has a role to play in rebuilding this nation.
Nigeria’s transformation will not come solely from government policies or political promises. It will come from a collective awakening — a commitment to do what is right, to value integrity over impunity, and to treat one another with respect and love.
As I returned from this pilgrimage, my heart was filled with renewed hope. I am more convinced than ever that a new Nigeria is possible — one where governance is defined by justice, equity, and compassion; where our diversity becomes a source of strength, not division; and where no child goes to bed hungry or wakes without hope.
Nigeria’s challenges are great, but so too is our potential. With faith in God, commitment to truth, and unity of purpose, we can build a nation worthy of its promise.
May God bless our land, guide our leaders, and heal our wounds. And may every Nigerian, wherever they are, continue to believe — and work — for the better tomorrow that we all deserve.
A new Nigeria is POssible.
— Peter Obi
