- Urge strengthening of electoral laws for credible polls
- Call for improved prison conditions
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a strong call to action, demanding that governments responsible for ordering the closure of schools in certain parts of the country withdraw these directives immediately. According to the Catholic Bishops, this demand is rooted in the fundamental right of children to education and the multi-religious nature of Nigerian society. The call was made during their first plenary meeting, held from March 8 to 14, 2025, at the CSN Resource Centre, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja.
The CBCN’s communique signed by the President and Secretary, Most Reverends Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji and Donatus Ogun, OSA, Archbishop of Owerri and Bishop of Uromi, emphasised the importance of education as a cornerstone of individual and national development. The bishops asserted that the closure of schools not only violates the rights of children, but also undermines the country’s progress. The communique aptly stated, “We, as Church, promote integral education, health care, and agriculture for individual and national development, and we require the enabling environment to play these roles among others.” The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria urged Nigerian citizens to prioritise actions that foster unity and national integration.
The bishops enjoined political, religious, and traditional leaders to promote national integration. This, they believe, is essential for instilling hope and driving development in Nigeria. Stakeholders opined that the bishops’ call to action is timely, given the country’s current challenges that border on Nigeria grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, and social unrest. The bishops recognised that these issues can only be addressed through collective effort and a commitment to national integration. Speaking on the backdrop that active citizenship is the backbone of any democratic society, the Bishops charged the citizenry to participate in future elections not minding the disappointments of the 2023 General Elections.
The CBCN’s communique highlighted the need for a strengthened electoral system, built on the foundation of robust laws and the sincere execution of duties by state agents. The communique read in parts, “Despite disappointments in the conduct of 2023 General Elections, we still encourage all eligible citizens to come out en masse and participate in future elections. We call for a strengthening of electoral laws and sincere execution of duties by state agents, such as Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and the courts in order to restore trust in the electoral system.
We urge our people to refuse to be cowed to silence and helplessness, but rather insist always on doing the right thing and having it done.” According to the Bishops, by restoring trust in the electoral system, Nigerians can ensure that their voices are heard and their votes count. The Bishops highlighted the country’s recent positive developments, while also acknowledging the lingering challenges. The prelates noted improvements in the petroleum industry, road infrastructure, and the introduction of students’ loan scheme and new minimum wage. One notable achievement, according to CBCN, is the Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019, which marked a significant shift in the country’s prison services. The Act focuses on reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration, rather than retribution. The bishops also commended the government’s efforts to promote agriculture and praised the bravery of security operatives fighting against criminality.
However, they emphasised that despite these positive developments, Nigeria still faces numerous challenges. The communique read in parts, “The Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019 was a landmark in the history of prison services in Nigeria. It was a shift from the perception of the prison as a centre for retribution to a “correctional” facility with focus on reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration. “We commend some cheering strides made by governments at various levels to promote agriculture. We equally appreciate the efforts of some security operatives, who put their lives on the line to fight the criminality and put an end to their savagery.
We pray for healing for the wounded and eternal life for the dead. “In spite of all these, our nation still has some serious challenges bordering on harsh socio-economic situation, persistent insecurity across the nation, rising youth unemployment and restiveness. “There is high cost of essential goods, including food. Cases of kidnapping and the mindless killing of innocent people still abound.” Going forward, the prelates provided valuable insights for Nigeria’s growth and development, focusing on key areas such as improvement of custodial centres, security, job creation, agriculture, and the abolition of capital punishment.
The CBCN urged the Federal and State Governments to prioritise the improvement of custodial centres, emphasising the need to uphold fundamental rights of inmates: Treat inmates with dignity and adopt non-custodial measures in deserving cases; Expedite justice: Ensure swift dispensation of justice to reduce congestion in correctional centres and decongest correctional centres: Grant parole to well-behaved minor offenders to alleviate overcrowding.
To ensure the security of life and property, the CBCN recommended that governments deploy high technology to enhance intelligence gathering and complement security agencies’ efforts; provide good remuneration for security personnel through ensuring fair compensation and better equipment for security personnel as well as prosecute crime without fear or favour by way of maintaining a commitment to justice, free from bias or prejudice. On fostering economic growth, the Bishops underscored the need for job creation, agricultural development and improved security for farmers to ensure safety and security for farmers to increase food production and reduce prices.
In line with the Catholic Church’s stance, the CBCN appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant pardon to Mr. Sunday Jackson, whose conviction was recently upheld by the Supreme Court, emphasising that capital punishment is unacceptable. The CBCN’s communique serves as a call to action for the government and citizens to work together to address Nigeria’s challenges and build a better future. In the communique, the Catholic Bishops urged citizens to be the catalysts for change, dispelling the darkness that has hovered over the nation.
The CBCN noted that the call to action is rooted in the principles of restoration, freedom, and renewal, as embodied in the Jubilee Year. The Jubilee Year, as described in the Book of Leviticus 25, is a time for forgiveness, release, and rest. It is a moment for Nigerians to come together, seeking renewal and freedom from the challenges that have plagued the nation. The Bishops underscored that this transformation begins with each individual, from homes to churches, workplaces, and government institutions. According to the prelates, the desire for a New Nigeria is built on three core principles including truth, justice and love.
To achieve this vision, the Bishops stressed the importance of radical change of attitudes, a spiritual revolution that transforms individual mindsets and behaviours; high moral profile leaders that behooves on politicians to lead with honesty, transparency, and accountability; and balanced media reportage which promotes hope and highlights positive developments in society. The communique read in part, “The desire for a New Nigeria must commit to truth, justice and love. We, therefore, call on all to be true to our worship of God, eschewing external religiosity and competition geared towards religious superiority or supremacy. While we put our hope in the Lord and continue to pray for a better nation, we must all play our prophetic role to create a new Nigeria by bringing about the necessary change and so rekindle hope once more in our nation.
“To bring our people back from the brink of despair, we must start with a clear call for a radical change of attitude, and a veritable spiritual revolution. We have the spiritual resources to undertake this mission in the genuine values of Christianity and Islam the two major religions practised in our land. ”Above all, to create a New Nigeria and rekindle hope among the populace, our nation needs political leaders of a high moral profile, who are able to administer public goods in line with the principles of honesty, transparency, and accountability (Ecclesia in Africa no, 111).
As a purveyor of hope, the Media must resist obsession with reporting bad news at the expense of balanced reportage, which highlights what is happening in the society with equal passion. We enjoin the Government and security agencies to see the Media as partners in nation building.”
