The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on governments at all levels to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, poverty, poor infrastructure and other challenges threatening the dignity and wellbeing of Nigerians.
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 Osun State.
The communiqué, signed by the President of CBCN, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, and the Secretary, Bishop Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo of Abeokuta, stressed that every human being possesses an inalienable dignity that must be protected.
The bishops condemned sexual and other forms of violence and abuse, saying such acts violate the dignity of the human person and inflict deep wounds on victims.
They urged members of the Church and the wider society to reject every form of abuse and violence.
On technology and Artificial Intelligence, the bishops urged politicians and other stakeholders to deploy emerging technologies responsibly and ethically, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
They also expressed concern over what they described as the continued spread of neo-paganism, especially among youths, attributing the trend partly to economic hardship, cultural revival and inadequate Christian formation.
The bishops called on pastoral agents to make greater use of digital platforms, social media and online catechesis to teach Christian values, while encouraging healthy inculturation that preserves positive aspects of Nigerian culture without compromising Christian teachings.
On education, the CBCN urged governments to take seriously their constitutional responsibility to fund and improve the education sector, maintaining that quality education remains essential for human development and peaceful coexistence.
The bishops said the Church remained willing to collaborate with government in providing quality education, while calling for policies that would promote the development of the human person and the nation.
On the state of the nation, the bishops acknowledged Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources as well as efforts by governments and citizens to preserve national unity, but regretted that insecurity, poverty, poor infrastructure, bad governance and attacks on human dignity continued to affect the country.
They welcomed moves to decentralise the police system but warned that any reorganisation of the security architecture must serve the common good rather than personal, ethnic, political or religious interests.
The bishops expressed concern over the continued incidence of kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and theft of natural resources, as well as attacks on schools and places of worship.
They urged government to strengthen security forces, improve intelligence gathering, recover lands occupied by criminal groups and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
They also called for concerted measures to reduce poverty, create employment, support local businesses and establish policies that would encourage private-sector participation, while urging citizens to embrace honest labour and reject corruption and criminality.
On infrastructure, the CBCN called for increased and transparent investment in public amenities, improved roads, reliable electricity, clean water and expanded railway services across the country.
It also urged citizens to protect public infrastructure from vandalism and report corrupt practices.
The bishops further appealed to the National Assembly and Federal Government to halt the process of enacting the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill 2026, arguing that some of its provisions could place churches, mosques, schools and humanitarian organisations under excessive government control.
On the 2027 elections, they urged Nigerians to work for free, fair and credible polls and announced December 8, 2026, as a special national day of prayer and fasting for the success of the elections.