By Olayinka Latona

LAGOS — The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called for an end to insecurity, poverty and what it described as bad governance, saying violence, poor infrastructure and economic hardship continue to undermine the wellbeing of Nigerians.

The bishops also outlined measures ahead of the 2027 general elections and declared December 8, 2026, as a special national day of prayer and fasting for the success of the elections.

The bishops made their positions known in a communiqué issued at the end of their Second Plenary Meeting, held at Our Lady and St Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State, from September 10 to 18, 2026.

The communiqué was signed by the CBCN President, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, and the Conference Secretary, Bishop Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo of Abeokuta Diocese.

The bishops expressed concern over the continued prevalence of violence, kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and theft of the nation’s natural resources, saying the situation was threatening peace and national unity.

They also decried attacks on schools and places of worship, as well as the abduction and killing of students and worshippers.

According to them, the displacement of communities has also left millions of Nigerians in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the country.

The bishops urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the country and create conditions that would enable displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes.

They called for stronger security forces, improved intelligence gathering and the prosecution of those responsible for criminal activities.

The bishops also urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities, cooperate with security agencies and reject ethnic and religious divisions.

They renewed their call for the decentralisation of the police system, saying policing should serve the common good rather than personal, ethnic, political or religious interests.

On the economy, the CBCN called for the creation of more jobs, an enabling environment for businesses and policies capable of reducing the financial burden on poor Nigerians.

They also urged government to invest transparently in public infrastructure, including roads, electricity, water supply and railway transportation.

2027 Elections

On the 2027 general elections, the bishops called on all stakeholders to work towards free, fair and credible polls.

They encouraged eligible voters to participate in the elections and vote for candidates they considered qualified and in line with their consciences.

The bishops directed dioceses and parishes across the country to undertake civic education and mobilisation, as well as end-of-month fasting and prayer with Rosary processions from October to December 2026.

They declared December 8, 2026, as a special national day of prayer and fasting for the success of the elections.

The bishops also urged citizens to study the pastoral letter issued by the Conference on the forthcoming elections and adhere to its provisions and guidelines.

Bishops Reject Foreign Aid Bill

The CBCN also opposed the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, which it said had passed first and second readings in the National Assembly.

The bishops argued that provisions requiring the registration of foreign aid resources and government supervision of their use could adversely affect churches, mosques, schools and humanitarian organisations providing assistance to vulnerable and conflict-affected communities.

They particularly faulted a provision that allows authorities to deny registration or refuse renewal where an organisation’s activities are deemed “not in the national interest”.

According to the bishops, the provision gives government officials broad discretionary powers and could create an additional layer of bureaucracy and excessive government control over independent civic organisations.

They said non-profit organisations and incorporated trustees, including religious and humanitarian bodies, were already regulated by the Corporate Affairs Commission under the Companies and Allied Matters Act and other applicable laws.

The bishops therefore urged the National Assembly and the Federal Government to discontinue the process of passing the bill into law, citing the need to protect freedom of association, religion, thought and conscience.

Technology, AI

On technology and artificial intelligence, the bishops said technology was not inherently evil but was also not neutral in its application.

They urged Nigerians to deploy technology responsibly and use it to support evangelisation, knowledge creation and development.

The bishops specifically called on politicians and other users of technology to observe ethical standards in the deployment of artificial intelligence, particularly in the period leading to the 2027 elections.

They congratulated the Vice President of the Conference, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of the Lagos Archdiocese, on his appointment to the Dicastery for Evangelisation, Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches.

The bishops also reiterated their call for what they described as renewed politics anchored on moral principles, respect for human life and dignity, and the pursuit of the common good, adding that “all hope is not lost.”