Catholic Bishops Warn Nigeria Risks Collapse, Call For Justice and Reform
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has warned that Nigeria risks collapse if corruption, insecurity, poverty and poor governance are not urgently addressed.
Rising from their Second Plenary Meeting in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, the bishops issued a communiqué titled “Hope Does Not Disappoint: Working Together for a Just Nation”, urging Nigerians to remain steadfast in hope while demanding justice and reform.
They expressed concern over worsening insecurity, mass poverty, youth unemployment, a failing health sector, and the steady decline in education, describing corruption and bad governance as the root of the nation’s crises.
The bishops cautioned against Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state and insisted on urgent electoral reforms, including real-time electronic transmission and collation of results, as well as impartial appointments to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
On family life, they decried poor parenting, the spread of occult practices among youths, and the dangers of pornography and cybercrime.
They also reaffirmed the Church’s opposition to In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), while urging childless couples to consider adoption and natural methods.
The bishops further called for environmental justice in the Niger Delta, stronger support for agriculture, and an end to exploitation by unregulated private ministries.
They stressed that true national renewal requires integrity, political education, and active civic participation.
“Hope does not deceive; hope saves,” they declared, entrusting Nigeria’s future to God while urging citizens to work towards a just and secure nation.
