The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive steps to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, improve security, address economic hardship and reassure Christians of equal treatment under his administration.
The appeal was made by the President of the CBCN and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, during a courtesy visit by members of the Conference to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday. The bishops said they remained committed to partnering with the Federal Government in building “a just, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”
Archbishop Ndagoso, while congratulating the President on initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), called for increased access to quality tertiary education, warning that the recent moratorium by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the establishment of new private universities could undermine efforts to expand admission opportunities for Nigeria’s growing youth population.
The bishops also raised concerns over what they described as growing fears about the shrinking political space, warning against any perception that Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party state. They urged President Tinubu to ensure that elected officials of the ruling party uphold fairness, respect democratic principles and provide a level playing field for all political actors.
According to them, the President’s enduring legacy should be the strengthening of democratic institutions, given his role in the struggle for the restoration of democracy.
On the country’s electoral process, the CBCN expressed concern over declining public confidence in elections, noting that many Nigerians now believe their votes no longer count.
The bishops urged the President to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts transparent, free and credible elections in 2027 by making Permanent Voter Cards readily available, adequately funding the electoral body and guaranteeing that election results truly reflect the will of the people. They warned that anything short of credible elections could plunge the country into avoidable crisis.
The Conference commended President Tinubu for the recent rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State and the arrest of some of the suspects, describing the operation as evidence of what government could achieve when determined.
However, they lamented that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping remained widespread, saying Nigerians continue to face insecurity in schools, places of worship, homes, farms and on highways. They stressed that the worsening security situation was threatening the country’s sovereignty and diminishing its leadership role in Africa.
The bishops also painted a grim picture of the nation’s economic realities, citing persistent power shortages, poor road infrastructure and the rising cost of living. They said many Nigerians were yet to experience the benefits of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that while the President had repeatedly acknowledged the people’s suffering, citizens were expecting practical solutions that would improve their daily lives.
On national unity and religious harmony, the CBCN thanked President Tinubu for the reception accorded Archbishop Paul Gallagher of the Holy See during his recent visit to Nigeria to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
The bishops, however, said many Christians remained concerned about their place in the country following the emergence of the Muslim-Muslim presidency and appealed to the President to implement policies that would reassure Christians of their constitutional rights and equal citizenship.
The bishops further requested President Tinubu to formally invite Pope Leo XIV to visit Nigeria, expressing confidence that such a visit would inspire hope and strengthen national prayers for peace and unity. They also renewed their call for the return of mission schools to their original proprietors and urged the Federal Government to ensure equal protection of religious rights across the country, particularly for Christians in northern Nigeria who face challenges in acquiring land for churches and freely practising their faith.
The CBCN reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with the Federal Government, assuring President Tinubu of its prayers while urging him to govern with justice, fairness and compassion in order to restore hope and confidence among Nigerians.
