First Lady, Remi Tinubu inaugurates National Assembly First Christian Chapel

Nigeria’s political and spiritual leaders on Sunday converged on the National Assembly to inaugurate the legislature’s first Christian chapel.

They took the opportunity of the occasion to urge repentance, unity, patriotism, and God-guided lawmaking.

The ceremony, attended by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, ministers, diplomats, and senior clerics, focused on the moral responsibilities of lawmakers serving over 200 million Nigerians.

Mrs Tinubu was the Special Guest of Honour at the event and cut the ribbon to mark the inauguration of the Chapel.

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She praised the visionary leadership of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio in completing the project, which was started in the 8th Assembly.

The Senate President recalled that when he assumed office and visited the site earmarked for the chapel, it had been abandoned.

“When I first came to this place as the President of the Senate, it was overgrown with weeds—silent and abandoned. And we resolved that neglect would not have the final word. Delay would not have the final word. Faith would have the final word.”

Akpabio described the chapel as a covenant between lawmakers and God.

“While men legislate for a season, God legislates for eternity,” he said.

He noted that the chapel was completed through contributions from past and present lawmakers, not public funds, and called on Nigerians to focus on competence and patriotism in leadership.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, reminded lawmakers that their authority is temporary, while God’s authority is eternal.

“I think all lawmakers must have the same humility because the eternal lawmaker is God himself,” Kukah said. He urged legislators to enact laws reflecting unity and shared humanity, warning against division and hypocrisy.

Former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara cited 2 Chronicles 7:14, stressing that repentance is key to national revival. He also warned that the chapel’s significance depends on the presence of unity among lawmakers.

Former Head of State Yakubu Gowon congratulated the National Assembly and urged lawmakers to prioritize national unity over religious differences.

“God says that we should love one another as we love ourselves. We must use this to ensure the continuity and unity of this country,” he said.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, reminded legislators that the chapel symbolizes accountability to God.

Quoting Psalm 127:1, he said, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain,” noting that political strategy alone cannot address Nigeria’s complex challenges.

The inauguration of the chapel marks a historic moment for the National Assembly, reinforcing the message that moral and spiritual guidance can play a role in governance.