Tinubu Receives Tijaniyya Order’s Grand Khalifa in Abuja as Algeria-Nigeria Ties Take Spiritual and Cultural Turn
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed Sidi Ali Belarabi El-Tidjani at the presidential complex in Abuja, in a meeting highlighting the religious and cultural links connecting Algeria and Nigeria and their potential role in broader bilateral cooperation.
By Hana Saada
ABUJA — Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received the Grand Khalifa of the Tijaniyya Sufi order, Sidi Ali Belarabi El-Tidjani, at the presidential complex in Abuja on Friday, during a visit that brought the religious dimension of Algeria-Nigeria relations into sharper focus.
El-Tidjani travelled to Abuja to attend Friday prayers alongside scholars and sheikhs from Nigeria and Senegal, with Algeria’s ambassador to Nigeria also present.
The imam who delivered the sermon gave a special welcome to the Grand Khalifa, centering his address on friendship, peace and solidarity among peoples.
The meeting following the prayers focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly their spiritual and cultural dimensions. Nigeria is home to one of the world’s largest communities of Tijaniyya followers, giving the Sufi order an important place in the religious and social ties linking Algeria with West Africa.
Tinubu welcomed the Grand Khalifa and his accompanying delegation, wishing them a pleasant stay in what he described as their “second country.”
El-Tidjani, whose central headquarters, the Mother Zawiya, is located in Ain Madhi, Algeria, expressed appreciation for the welcome extended by the Nigerian president. He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between Algeria and Nigeria across multiple sectors, including energy.
The visit comes as Algeria and Nigeria seek to deepen relations beyond traditional political and economic channels, with shared religious and cultural links providing an additional avenue for engagement.
The Tijaniyya order has tens of millions of followers across Africa, particularly in West Africa, and its networks have historically connected communities across national borders.
For Algiers and Abuja, these longstanding spiritual ties offer another channel for promoting religious moderation, countering violent extremism and reinforcing political, cultural and economic relations between two major African countries.
— 𝐄𝐍𝐃 —
Dzair Tube Media Group | Record and Standing
Dzair Tube is a leading Algerian digital journalism platform, delivering high-quality content in Arabic, French, and English. With a daily readership exceeding 500,000, it has established itself among the country’s most influential media organizations.
Recognized for editorial excellence and integrity, Dzair Tube was awarded the President of the Republic’s Prize for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on 22 October 2022. The platform operates from state-of-the-art studios, producing diverse programming across news, sports, culture, entertainment, and religion.
Dzair Tube maintains a robust digital presence, with over 600,000 YouTube subscribers, six million followers across Facebook pages, and more than 70,000 Instagram followers. Its sports daily, Dzair Sport, enjoys over 50,000 daily downloads via its official website, cementing its leadership in multimedia journalism.
Further recognized with the Media Leadership Award by former Minister of Communication Mohamed Laâgab and celebrated at the Hilals of Television awards, Dzair Tube continues to set benchmarks in innovation, influence, and public engagement, serving as a key forum for civic discourse, critical analysis, and public affairs.
Official website: www.dzair-tube.dz | English: www.dzair-tube.dz/en
