Nigerian political figure Peter Obi has concluded a multi-day international visit that combined public engagements in the United States with a spiritual pilgrimage in Rome, where he and his wife offered prayers for Nigeria’s unity, leadership, and national healing.
Obi began his trip in Washington, D.C., where he addressed the Friendship Club on Saturday, 4 October, and spoke at the inaugural Ubuntu African Youth Assembly the following day. He departed for Rome that evening, arriving on 6 October to join his wife for a Jubilee Year pilgrimage—a Catholic tradition observed every 25 years.
In a statement reflecting on the journey, Obi said the couple dedicated their prayers to Nigeria, expressing gratitude for the country’s continued unity despite decades of political and economic challenges. “Despite our differences and the many challenges faced over sixty-five years of independence, He has kept us together as one nation—a rare and profound blessing,” he wrote.
During the pilgrimage, the couple visited three of Rome’s four major Papal Basilicas on 7 October, passing through the Holy Doors at each site and praying for divine mercy and national transformation.
Their stops included St. Mary Major, Saint Paul Outside the Walls—where they were received by Cardinal James Harvey—and St. John Lateran. They also prayed at the Scala Sancta, believed to be the steps ascended by Jesus before his trial under Pontius Pilate.
On 8 October, Obi attended the Papal General Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica, where he heard Pope Leo XIV deliver a catechesis on hope and perseverance. The visit culminated in a private audience with the Pope, during which Obi appealed for prayers for Nigeria.
Throughout the pilgrimage, Obi met with fellow Nigerian pilgrims and emphasized the importance of faith as a catalyst for civic responsibility. “Faith does not absolve us of responsibility; rather, it calls us to action,” he stated. “As Nigerians, we must each continue to do our part—with honesty, diligence, and love—for the healing and progress of our country.”
Obi’s remarks come amid ongoing national discourse on leadership, governance, and the role of spirituality in public life.