By Charles Igwe
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has raised serious alarms about the deteriorating conditions in the country, cautioning that Nigeria is on the brink of a severe crisis due to escalating poverty, widespread corruption, and an increasing debt burden. Speaking at the 2024 Second Plenary Assembly of the CBCN, the conference’s president, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, expressed grave concerns, stating, “As long as our nation grapples with poverty, hardship, and corruption, and as long as the future of our youth remains uncertain, we will continue to witness protests.”
Archbishop Ugorji acknowledged some strides made by President Bola Tinubu’s administration but stressed that the nation’s current state remains deeply troubling. He pointed to the recent #EndbadGovernance protests by Nigerian youths as a clear sign of widespread discontent and frustration with the country’s ongoing issues. Condemning the lethal response of security forces towards protestors, Ugorji reaffirmed that citizens possess a constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations.
The Archbishop of Owerri also highlighted the nation’s growing debt crisis, explaining, “The necessity of servicing large debts to international financial institutions and sourcing internal funds to address budget deficits prompted the President’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the naira’s floatation.” He warned that attempting to stifle protests without addressing the core issues is both “misguided and unacceptable.”
The Archbishop stressed that Nigeria’s future hinges on how these pressing challenges are managed, expressing hope that faith in God could lead to the nation’s transformation. He urged the government to focus on resolving the underlying causes of unrest rather than seeking to suppress the voices of dissent, warning, “Our country is indeed on the edge of a crisis as security forces crack down on protestors and their alleged sponsors on dubious charges.”
