President Bola Tinubu met with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, in a closed-door session at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This meeting took place after the Sultan was notably absent from an interfaith Iftar dinner hosted by the President, leading to speculation regarding the nature of their discussions. The Sultan's absence was represented by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who filled in on behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

The timing of the meeting is particularly significant as it comes just days before the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting for Muslims, and highlights the Sultan's critical role in interfaith dialogue and national cohesion during this period. With the President hosting several Iftar dinners for different political and religious leaders throughout the month, the personal audience between Tinubu and the Sultan suggests a strong emphasis on fostering unity among the diverse religious communities in Nigeria while addressing pertinent national issues.

The Sultan of Sokoto, as the President-General of the NSCIA, has been a key figure in advising the President on matters impacting the Muslim community and broader national interests. His ongoing consultations with the President reflect the importance of collaboration between leadership figures during a significant period of the Muslim calendar. The closed-door nature of their meeting indicates the sensitivity of the discussions, which may cover urgent national challenges and initiatives aiming to strengthen interfaith relations in Nigeria.