The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on governments at all levels to intensify efforts to address insecurity, poverty, poor infrastructure and other challenges undermining human dignity and national development.
The Bishops made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of their Second Plenary Meeting for 2026, held from September 10 to 18 at Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke-Gada, Ede, in the Osogbo Diocese of Osun State.
Signed by the CBCN President, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, and the Secretary, Bishop Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo of Abeokuta Diocese, the communiqué focused on the dignity of the human person, technology and artificial intelligence, neo-paganism, Christian education, the state of the nation and the 2027 general elections.
On insecurity, the Bishops acknowledged moves by government to decentralise the police system but urged that any reorganisation should serve the common good rather than personal, ethnic, political or religious interests.
They expressed concern over the persistence of violence, kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and the theft of natural resources, calling on the Federal Government to take decisive steps to stop banditry, recover territories being used for criminal activities and restore such areas to productive use.
The CBCN also expressed concern over the invasion of schools and places of worship, as well as the abduction and killing of students and worshippers.
It urged government to intensify efforts to enable millions of internally displaced persons to return to their ancestral communities, while ensuring that migrants and refugees are treated with respect and provided with their basic rights and needs.
The Bishops further called for stronger security forces, improved intelligence gathering and accountability for perpetrators of violence, while urging citizens to report suspicious activities, cooperate with security agencies and reject ethnic and religious divisions.
On poverty, the Conference said hardship and deprivation had left many families struggling despite Nigeria’s abundant resources.
It called on federal and state governments to create more jobs, support local businesses, provide an enabling environment for private-sector participation and implement economic policies capable of reducing the financial burden on poor Nigerians.
The Bishops also demanded greater investment in infrastructure, particularly roads, electricity, water and railway transportation, while urging citizens to protect public infrastructure from vandalism and report corruption associated with infrastructure projects.
Bishops Reject Foreign Aid Regulation Bill
The CBCN also opposed the proposed Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill 2026, which it said could negatively affect churches, mosques, schools and humanitarian organisations providing assistance to vulnerable and conflict-affected communities.
According to the Bishops, although provisions requiring registration and supervision of foreign aid resources may appear reasonable, the proposed legislation could confer broad discretionary powers on government officials and create excessive bureaucratic controls.
They argued that churches, mosques, humanitarian organisations and other incorporated trustees are already regulated under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and other existing laws.
The Conference therefore urged the National Assembly and Federal Government not to proceed with the bill, citing concerns about freedom of association, religion, thought and conscience, as well as the development of civic and humanitarian activities.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Catholic Bishops called on stakeholders to work towards free, fair and credible elections.
They urged eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process and make their choices according to their consciences.
The Conference said it had issued a pastoral letter on the forthcoming elections and directed dioceses and parishes to undertake civic education and mobilisation activities, alongside end-of-month fasting and prayer and Rosary processions from October to December 2026.
It also announced December 8, 2026, as a special national day of prayer and fasting for the success of the 2027 elections.
On technology and Artificial Intelligence, the Bishops said technology should be deployed responsibly and ethically, particularly by politicians and other stakeholders as the country approaches the elections.
They also urged the Church to make greater use of digital platforms, social media and online catechesis in responding to the growing influence of neo-paganism, especially among young people.
The Bishops stressed that the dignity of every human person is intrinsic, unconditional and inviolable, and called on Nigerians to reject sexual and other forms of violence and abuse.
They said the Church’s credibility is closely connected to how it responds to abuse, protects vulnerable people and listens to those who suffer.The Conference also congratulated Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos on his appointment to the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches.
It commiserated with Abakaliki Diocese and the Archdiocese of Benin City over the deaths of Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu and Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, respectively, and congratulated Most Rev. Ernest Obodo and Most Rev. Donatus Ogun on their appointments as Apostolic Administrators of Abakaliki Diocese and Benin City Archdiocese.
In conclusion, the CBCN called for a renewed politics centred on moral principles, protection of human life and dignity, and the pursuit of the common good.
The Bishops urged Nigerians to work together towards building a peaceful and productive nation, while assuring the country of their continued prayers.
