By Fr. Leo Ehiemere
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has challenged government at all levels to do more to protect human dignity, tackle insecurity and ease the economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.
The Bishops made the call in a communiqué issued at the close of their Second Plenary Meeting of 2026, held from September 10 to 18 at the Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke-Gada, Ede, in the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Osun State.
With the country facing persistent security and economic challenges, the bishops said national development must begin with respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every person.
They condemned sexual violence, abuse and other forms of violence, stressing that no circumstance should diminish the worth of the human person. They also acknowledged the need for the Church and society to be proactive in strategic protection of the vulnerable.
The Bishops strongly condemned the incessant kidnapping, banditry, violence, illegal mining and attacks on schools and places of worship.
They called on the security agents to enhance, better intelligence gathering in combating criminal activities in our society. Government, they said, must also intensify efforts to reclaim communities and territories affected by criminal groups and create conditions for displaced Nigerians to safely return home.
The Conference urged citizens to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, while warning against ethnic and religious divisions that could further threaten national unity.
Economic hardship was another major concern for the Bishops, who expressed worry over the number of families struggling to meet basic needs despite Nigeria’s considerable human and natural resources.
They called on the Federal and state governments to create more jobs, support local businesses and introduce policies that encourage private-sector investment while reducing the pressure on poor households.
The Bishops also encouraged Nigerians to embrace honest work, support local enterprises and reject corruption and criminality.
Turning to the state of Nigeria’s infrastructure, the Conference identified poor roads, unreliable electricity and inadequate public utilities as major impediments to economic growth and the wellbeing of citizens.
It urged government to invest more transparently in roads, electricity, clean water and railway transportation, while calling on citizens to protect public facilities and report corruption surrounding infrastructure projects.
The Bishops also stressed the importance of quality education in building a peaceful and productive society. While reaffirming the Catholic Church’s willingness to work with government in the education sector, they urged authorities to give greater attention to funding and policies that expand access to quality education.
The Conference also raised strong objections to the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill 2026, which has passed its first and second readings in the National Assembly.
The Bishops expressed concern that some provisions of the proposed legislation could give government officials excessive discretion over churches, mosques, schools and humanitarian organisations receiving foreign assistance.
They maintained that such organisations are already regulated under existing laws and urged the National Assembly and Federal Government to discontinue further moves to enact the bill, citing concerns over freedom of association, religion, thought and conscience.
As the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, the bishops called on political actors, electoral institutions and citizens to work towards free, fair and credible elections.
They urged eligible voters to participate actively and make their choices according to their consciences. Catholic dioceses and parishes were also encouraged to organise civic education and voter mobilisation alongside fasting and prayer from October to December 2026.
The Bishops designated December 8, 2026, as a special national day of prayer and fasting for the success of the elections.
On developments within the Church, the CBCN congratulated Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos on his appointment to the Dicastery for Evangelization and commiserated with Abakaliki Diocese and the Archdiocese of Benin City following the deaths of Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu and Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze.
They also congratulated Archbishop Ernest Obodo and Bishop Donatus Ogun on their appointments as Apostolic Administrators of Abakaliki Diocese and Benin City Archdiocese respectively.
In their concluding message, the bishops acknowledged the difficulties facing Nigeria but urged citizens not to surrender to despair.
They called for a renewed political culture centred on human life, dignity, justice, religious freedom and the common good, stressing that national transformation requires responsibility not only from those in government but from citizens and communities as well.
The Conference ended its message with prayers for Nigeria’s leaders and citizens, expressing hope for a more peaceful, productive and united nation.
