In an era scarred by division, where echo chambers amplify discord and borders harden hearts, tolerance emerges not as a mere virtue but as the indispensable elixir for harmonious living. Yesterday Sunday, 16th November 2025, the International Day for Tolerance, we were called to reaffirm this truth: embracing differences isn’t weakness-it’s the bedrock of resilient societies. 

Tolerance, at its core, is the deliberate respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity in cultures, expressions, and human ways of being. It transcends passive endurance, demanding active empathy to bridge divides and foster mutual understanding. UNESCO’s creation of this day in 1995 was a prescient response to resurgent intolerance. On the 50th anniversary of its constitution, the UN General Assembly urged UNESCO to proclaim 16th November as a global observance, commemorating the Universal Declaration of Tolerance. Born amid post-Cold War ethnic strife-from Bosnia to Rwanda- it aimed to combat hatred, discrimination, and violence.

Today, with rising populism and online vitriol, its urgency is undiminished. UNESCO invokes its timeless ethos: “Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human.” This enduring call urges us to cultivate inclusivity amid flux. Yet, intolerance thrives in multicultural societies, eroding the very pluralism that enriches them. Three insidious factors fuel it: first, ignorance born of inadequate education, breeding stereotypes; second, economic inequities that scapegoat “others” for scarcity; third, political opportunism, where leaders exploit fears to consolidate power. These manifest destructively: through overt violence like hate crimes, subtle discrimination in workplaces or schools and systemic exclusion. Nowhere is this more poignant than in Nigeria, Africa’s vibrant mosaic of over 250 ethnic groups and dual faiths. The root causes exacerbate intolerance here. First is religious fanaticism, where perceived doctrinal superiority complex ignites clashes, as seen in recurrent Boko Haram, Fulani banditry and herdsmen insurgencies. 

Second is socio-economic despair, with poverty and unemployment (affecting over 40 per cent of youth) channelling frustrations into ethnic scapegoating; and the indigene-settler syndrome, pitting “natives” against migrants. The toll on the social fabric is devastating: thousands dead in ethno-religious pogroms, deepened mistrust fracturing communities, and stalled development as capital flees unstable regions. Reversing this demands collective resolve. We must promote tolerance through: inclusive curricula that humanise “the other”; interfaith dialogues fostering personal bonds; media campaigns debunking myths and robust policies enforcing anti-hate laws. The dividends? A safer society, where peace supplants peril; innovative economies thrive, fuelled by diverse ideas; and cohesive communities where collective progress eclipses zero-sum strife.

We reiterate our constant advocacy for the assiduous implementation of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution which harps on the Federal Character principle. Equity breeds solidarity, which also promotes tolerance. It heals wounds and prevents alienation. In Nigeria and beyond, tolerance is the panacea: healing wounds, igniting unity, and securing a shared future.