President Bola Tinubu on Monday congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on his 70th birthday.

In a statement, Mr Tinubu described the monarch’s seventy years of existence as “a testament to a life lived in service, wisdom and grace”.

Mr Tinubu stated, “Your Eminence, on this day I offer my warmest congratulations to you and your teeming subjects in Sokoto and beyond, on behalf of myself, the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You have been a stabilising voice in times of turbulence, a bridge-builder across faiths and communities, and a moral compass not only for our Muslim ummah, but for our entire nation.”

Mr Tinubu described the Sultan as a leader who “speaks the truth with compassion, counsels patience without weakness and champions unity without compromising conviction”.

He also praised the monarch’s sustained promotion of education, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian service.

“Your advocacy for peaceful coexistence, for the girl-child, and for the dignity of every Nigerian reflects the very best of our shared values,” the president said. “At 70, you remain a towering figure of conscience and counsel. Your palace in Sokoto has become a sanctuary for dialogue, and your words carry weight in every corner of this country. In moments of grief, you comfort. In moments of division, you unite. In moments of doubt, you remind us of our common humanity and our common destiny as one people under God,” he said.

Mr Tinubu said he valued the monarch’s partnership in nation-building, support for improved security, community development, and the spiritual well-being of Nigerians. He wished Mr Abubakar a long life in good health, sound mind, and continued strength.

“May He preserve you for your family, for the Sokoto Caliphate, and for Nigeria. May your reign continue to be a source of blessing, guidance, and honour. May this new decade of your life be your most rewarding yet,” he said.