Nigeria on the brink, but there’s hope – Catholic Bishops
ABUJA – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has warned that the nation is at a critical juncture due to worsening socio-economic hardship and insecurity. However, they emphasized that hope remains, urging both leaders and citizens to take responsibility for driving positive change.
In a communiqué issued on Thursday night following their First Plenary Meeting of 2025, the bishops outlined their concerns and recommendations for national development. The document, shared by the National Director of Social Communications, Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, was jointly signed by Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of CBCN, and Bishop Donatus Ogun, Secretary of CBCN.
While acknowledging progress in the petroleum sector, road rehabilitation, student loans, a new minimum wage, and debt reduction efforts, the bishops warned that these gains have been overshadowed by severe economic hardship, food inflation, and insecurity.
“Despite recent positive developments, Nigeria faces serious challenges, including socio-economic hardship, insecurity, rising youth unemployment, and high costs of essential goods. We urge all to pursue unity and national integration. Political, religious, and traditional leaders must foster hope and development,” the communiqué stated.
The bishops expressed disappointment over the 2023 general elections, citing irregularities and loss of public confidence in the system. However, they urged Nigerians to remain hopeful in democracy, calling for stronger electoral laws and impartial execution of duties by institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the judiciary.
They also criticized state governments that have shut down schools in certain regions, demanding their immediate reopening.
On security, the bishops urged the government to deploy modern technology, enhance intelligence gathering, and improve the welfare and equipment of security personnel.
The bishops emphasized the urgent need for investment in agriculture to address food shortages, rising costs, and unemployment.
“More investment is needed in agriculture to facilitate youth involvement and ensure sustainable food production. With improved security and safety for farmers, food production will increase, and the cost of food will reduce nationwide,” they said.
Reaffirming the Catholic Church’s opposition to capital punishment, the bishops appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant clemency to Mr. Sunday Jackson, whose death sentence was recently upheld by the Supreme Court.
“We reaffirm the Catholic Church’s stand that capital punishment is unacceptable. We, therefore, make a passionate appeal to President Tinubu, especially in light of the Jubilee Year of Hope, to grant pardon to Mr. Sunday Jackson.”
They also called for urgent prison reforms, including: Upholding fundamental rights of inmates and treating them with dignity. Expediting justice to prevent prolonged detention. Decongesting correctional facilities by granting parole to well-behaved minor offenders. And Rehabilitating existing prisons and constructing new ones to ease overcrowding.
The bishops reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for justice, unity, and national development, urging all Nigerians to remain hopeful and proactive in building a better country.
