Following a crucial meeting between Catholic Bishops in Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has issued a statement detailing their discussions on pressing national concerns.
According to Michael Banjo, the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the meeting took place on March 14, 2025, at the State House in Abuja.
A delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President and Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, met with President Tinubu to address key issues affecting the nation.
In a statement signed by Banjo, the bishops outlined their focus areas, including security, economic stability, education, human rights, and governance, all aimed at fostering national peace and progress.
“I accompanied the CBCN delegation to the meeting, which centered on critical national issues, including security, economic stability, education, human rights, and effective governance, with the overarching goal of promoting national peace and societal advancement,” Banjo stated.
The CBCN expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the country, particularly the rising cases of abductions and killings of Catholic clergy.
The statement revealed that in the past decade, no fewer than 204 Catholic priests and seminarians have been kidnapped by extremist groups.
“Over the past decade, at least 204 Catholic priests and seminarians have been abducted by religious extremists and agents of darkness. No fewer than 15 were brutally killed while in captivity, while at least three others died from trauma after their release,” Banjo said.
Tragically, even as the bishops met with President Tinubu, news broke that a seminarian, Peter Andrew, had been kidnapped and killed in Auchi, Edo State.
The bishops also mourned the killing of Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, a priest from Kafanchan Diocese, who was murdered on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Beyond security, the CBCN highlighted the economic hardships gripping the nation, particularly in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal and the depreciation of the naira. They called for urgent policies to mitigate the suffering of Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.
The bishops also stressed the need for fair access to education and healthcare, advocating for increased government investment in these sectors.
Additionally, the CBCN raised concerns about religious freedom and discrimination, particularly against Christian minorities in Northern Nigeria.
“Bishops also raised concerns about religious freedom, calling for justice in the treatment of Christian minorities in northern Nigeria and fairness in land allocation for places of worship,” Banjo noted.
Responding to their concerns, President Tinubu reassured the bishops of his administration’s commitment to addressing security challenges, reviving the economy, and promoting national unity.
“President Tinubu listened attentively to the CBCN’s concerns, reassuring the bishops of his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity, stabilising the economy, and fostering national cohesion. He also emphasised the government’s openness to collaboration with key stakeholders in advancing the nation’s welfare,” the statement read.
During the meeting, the CBCN also presented a communiqué from its recent Plenary in Abuja, outlining its observations on Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.
“The engagement at the State House reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to justice, peace, and sustainable national development despite the country’s many challenges,” Banjo stated.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu, as previously reported by SaharaReporters, assured the bishops of his neutrality in governance, emphasizing that insecurity affects all Nigerians, regardless of religious affiliation.
“This insecurity affects everyone—Christians and Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I won’t be a bigot. My wife is a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church,” he said.
However, despite the president’s assurances, many Nigerians remain skeptical, as violent attacks, kidnappings, and killings continue across the country.
The nation’s economic woes have deepened since the removal of fuel subsidies, with inflation soaring and food prices reaching all-time highs.
