The First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), which was held at the CSN Resource Centre, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, 19 – 26 February 2026, has ended with a strong call for civil authorities to shun repressive and tyrannical tendencies based on the common good.
This call is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Titled “Leadership for the Common Good,” signed by the outgone CBCN President, Lucius Iwejuru UGORJI, Archbishop of Owerri, Secretary Bishop Donatus Ogun, OSA of Bishop of Uromi diocese.
“Common Good must not become the usurpation of the rights of the governed.”
The bishops advocated for a “leadership for the common good,” stressing, “We affirm that responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.”
They warned that “The obligation of government to the Common Good must not become the usurpation of the rights of the governed. It must be carried out without repression or tyranny because each sector of society as well as individuals, have their proper contributions to make, and government must respect and encourage these contributions,” adding that “This approach paves the way for the participation of all in politics and, most especially, contributes to leadership effectiveness at all levels of society. Indeed, effective leadership means the prioritization of the Common Good over selfish and sectional interests.”
The CBCN Plenary. Credit: Archbishop Ignatius A. Kaigama
The statement clarified that “This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all that we do. It is, therefore, necessary that all participate, each according to their position and role, in promoting the Common Good.
“This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person. We, therefore, call on all Christians to be aware of their own specific vocation within the political community. It is for them to give an example by their sense of responsibility and their service of the Common Good (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes, no 75).”
The Prelates submitted that “leadership is the platform for working for the Common Good,” noting that “It is the responsibility of public authority to ensure that the citizenry has access to what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, health, work, education, culture, suitable information, the establishment of a family, etc. The Common Good also requires peace, stability and security of a just order.”
“We must never give in to despair.”
Based on the biblical principles of the common good and the desire for a better country where peace and love flow, the Fathers of the Church noted that “In pursuit of the Common Good, our Christian faith challenges us to serve ‘the least of the brethren’ – feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, caring for the sick and prisoners (Mt. 25:31 – 40).”
They emphasised that “As believers in Christ, who are called to be the salt of the earth (Mt. 5:13), the light of the world (Mt. 13:14 – 16) and the leaven of the society (Mt. 13:33), we must collectively work for the social transformation of our country, rooted in the Common Good, and ensure that those who occupy positions of leadership in our land, at both the national and sub-national levels, are people with track records of probity, competence and commitment.”
In part, the statement read, “A better Nigeria is possible, and we enjoin everyone to contribute to building our nation,” adding that “This calls for a change of attitude across board and a generous and selfless disposition to serve the Common Good.
During the plenary, new executive officers were also elected, presented, and congratulated.
The episcopal body would be headed by Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Archbishop of Kaduna – President, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Archbishop of Lagos – Vice President, Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, the Bishop of Abeokuta – Secretary, and Most. Rev. Peter Chukwu, the Bishop of Abakaliki – Assistant Secretary.
“We wish them a successful and impactful tenure. We thank the past executive and other officers for their service and pray God to bless them in their future endeavours,” the statement maintained.
The Bishops presented the nation to the “powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope and all Consolation, Queen of Nigeria,” through whom “we shall get there.”
