The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has raised the alarm over the country’s worsening security crisis and economic hardships, calling on the government to take decisive action to address these pressing issues.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the CBCN’s 2025 First Plenary Meeting in Abuja, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Conference, lamented the rising wave of violence and the deteriorating economic conditions that have left millions of Nigerians struggling to survive.
Archbishop Ugorji condemned the worsening security situation, pointing to the growing activities of Boko Haram, bandits, and armed groups across the country. He highlighted the alarming rise in kidnappings, particularly targeting religious figures.
“As we speak, Fr. Philip Ekweli and a major seminarian remain in captivity after being abducted on March 3, while Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu was kidnapped and brutally murdered just a day later,” he said. “Communities are being terrorized, displaced, and impoverished, while criminal gangs engage in the horrific trade of harvesting human parts for sale or rituals.”
Despite efforts by security forces, Archbishop Ugorji questioned why the government has not deployed advanced technology to enhance security operations.
“Enough of this senseless brutality! Enough of this barbarism!” he declared.
On the economic front, the Archbishop painted a grim picture of widespread hardship, worsened by skyrocketing inflation and declining purchasing power. He cited World Bank data showing that 129 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line, while the National Bureau of Statistics reports food inflation at nearly 40%.
“Many families now spend up to 65% of their income on food alone, leaving little for healthcare, education, or other basic necessities,” he said.
While he acknowledged government measures such as student loan schemes and palliatives, he described them as insufficient, noting that millions of Nigerians continue to suffer under crushing economic pressure.
With youth unemployment at 53%, Archbishop Ugorji warned that joblessness is driving many young Nigerians into crime and violence. He linked the lack of economic opportunities to the rise in kidnapping, cybercrime, cultism, and ritual killings, urging the government to act swiftly.
“Unless and until the government creates massive job opportunities, it may continue to lose the war against insecurity and violent crimes,” he warned.
The Archbishop also highlighted the deplorable conditions in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, where overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inhumane treatment are rampant. He called for urgent reforms, including expedited trials and improved rehabilitation programs.
Despite the bleak realities, Archbishop Ugorji urged Nigerians not to lose hope, calling for collective efforts to demand better governance and accountability from political leaders.
“We must always stand up against bad governance and insist on transparency,” he said.
In his address, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), emphasized the theme of the plenary session, “Jubilee of Hope: A Light for a Better Nigeria.” He urged Christians to re-establish or strengthen their relationship with God and reflect on their connection with others in the light of God’s will.
“It inspires us to give courageous leadership to efforts geared towards drastically reducing the level of wickedness in Nigerian society and to rekindle hope in others for a new nation of abundance and joy,” he said.
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He acknowledged that Nigeria has been plagued with hopelessness and despair for a long time, with many citizens at their breaking point due to hunger, poverty, insecurity, and disease.
While delivering his homily, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja urged Nigerians to resist the devil’s influence, warning against societal ills such as ethnic and religious selfishness, marital infidelity, youth violence, and criminal activities.
“The devil and his agents have no problem with the lack of work, while millions of Nigerians remain unemployed,” he stated.
Speaking on the state of the nation, Kaigama said:
“As Nigerians, we still find ourselves in a wilderness of economic hardship, insecurity, corruption, and social division, with many of our brothers and sisters burdened with despair, questioning whether hope is still possible.
“The Lord reminds us that He is a covenant-keeping God. Just as He brought the Israelites into a new era of grace; just as He led Jesus out of the wilderness to proclaim the Good News, so too can He lead Nigeria into a new dawn of justice, peace, and prosperity.”
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