…Nigeria’s Sovereignty is at Stake – Archbishop Ndagoso
By Dangwam Jude Dabee
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent steps to address insecurity, strengthen democratic institutions, and reassure Nigerians of equal citizenship and religious freedom.
The appeal was made by Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Archbishop of Kaduna and newly elected President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), during a courtesy visit to the President at the State House on Tuesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Archbishop Ndagoso thanked the President for receiving the delegation and for the warm reception given to Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Nigeria.
He said “Mr. President, this is a time when many Christians have legitimate concerns about their place in Nigeria, especially regarding the departure from the Christian/Muslim presidency, and we hope that, through deliberate government policies, those concerns will be addressed and Christians will be reassured of their rights as citizens. We expect that you will take steps to soothe frayed nerves and address the concerns.”
Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Archbishop of Kaduna, presents a copy of his speech to President Bola Tinubu.
The Bishops commended the federal government’s NELFund Student Loan Initiative but warned that Nigeria still lacks sufficient University spaces.
“We therefore hope that the recent moratorium placed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the establishment of new private universities does not cancel out the gains of NELFund,” the Chief Shepard stated.
The CBCN President cautioned against shrinking political space in the nation’s democracy, stressing, “Many voices are screaming over what they consider to be the constriction of the political space, with some fearing that a one-party state is being anticipated. Your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions.”
They urged the President to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) delivers credible polls, “Anything short of transparent, free, fair and credible elections in 2027 would be an invitation to avoidable disaster against which all well-meaning Nigerians have been praying for.”
The Bishops congratulated the President on the release of kidnapped school children and teachers in Oyo State but noted that such successes remain isolated.
“Our nation still remains a favourable destination for terrorism, banditry and high levels of insecurity that threaten our collective existence. Nowhere is safe anymore, as bandits and criminals freely carry away scores of worshippers and schoolchildren, even in broad daylight undisturbed, our sovereignty is at stake,” the Bishops noted.
According to Archbishop Ndagoso, “Mr President, our nation is bleeding. The citizens are suffering and crying, you have said a couple of times that you hear their cries and feel their pain. But words are not enough. They expect concrete action that engenders some change in their condition.”
Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Archbishop of Kaduna and newly elected President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), in a warm handshake with President Bola Tinubu during a courtesy visit to the President at the State House on Tuesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The CBCN further requested that the President should “Give favourable consideration to the request on the return of mission schools to their original proprietors. That government ensures the Supreme Court judgment of 10 February 2026 on religious freedom is implemented nationwide.
“We appeal that Christians, especially in the northern part of the country, who continue to face difficulties in acquiring land for the construction of Churches or in freely exercising their right to worship, should enjoy the same constitutional rights and protection accorded to all Nigerians. Equal citizenship must be reflected not only in law but also in practice,” they strongly stated.
The Bishops also revealed that Pope Leo XIV is enthusiastic about visiting Nigeria and urged the President to extend a formal invitation, as they prayed God to grant the President wisdom and strength to lead the most populous black nation on earth and all its citizens towards greatness as destined for them by God.
