Catholic Bishops raise alarm of ticking time bomb in Nigeria

• Demand action against youth unemployment, corrupt leadership, electoral manipulation, prison reforms, others

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Catholic Bishops under the umbrella of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have raised the alarm of an imminent crisis that might befall Nigeria, urging political leaders to take urgent action to address the growing challenges before it becomes too late.

The Bishops, at the opening session of the 2025 First Plenary Meeting of the CBCN at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Abuja, highlighted the growing challenge of youth unemployment and their general dissatisfaction with the entire governance system, which might soon force them to take the law into their own hands, with potentially catastrophic consequences.

In addition to the Catholic Bishops, the event was also attended by Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria; his Secretary, Rev. Fr. Paterne Koyassabia Kozondo; the new CSN Secretary General, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo; and other ecumenical partners, including the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba; the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, His Eminence Oliver Ali Aba; as well as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh.

CBCN President Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, in his opening address, stated that in a country like Nigeria, where youths constitute 70 per cent of the population, youth unemployment has remained a major concern, with 53 per cent of youths unemployed.

He said: “The situation is foreseen to worsen with institutions turning out more and more graduates into the labour market annually. Unfortunately, most of the unemployed youths seem unemployable because they lack the skills in demand in the job market.

“The situation is even worsened by the layoff of workers due to the folding up of many companies and multinational corporations on account of the present harsh and hostile economic atmosphere in the country.

“This dismal atmosphere seems to condemn many jobless youths to a life of despair and purposelessness, thus leading many into criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, drug abuse, yahoo plus, and cultism in search of extraordinary spiritual powers for instant prosperity without working for it.

“Many of our youths are compromising their faith, and feel attracted to pagan shrines, devilish native doctors, idolatry, amulets and charms, ritual killings, and human sacrifice these days. However, youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb, since frustration and disillusionment makes them easy preys to radicalisation, initiation into dangerous cults, and recruitment by different armed and terrorist gangs to cause mayhem in the nation.

“We cannot be tired of urging the government at all levels to give serious attention to solving the problem of youth unemployment and joblessness. Unless and until government attends to the problem of youth joblessness by massively creating job opportunities in an ongoing manner, it may continue to lose the war against insecurity and violent crimes in the nation.

“As Church leaders, we should rekindle hope in our nation and not get tired of proclaiming the gospel of love and hope, peace and reconciliation, justice and fair play. As the voice of the voiceless, we should, with uncompromising energy, continue denouncing corruption, injustice, oppression, and exploitation of the poor and weak, which have held our nation down.”

Archbishop Ugorji also raised concerns about the state of security in Nigeria, as well as the deplorable state of the Correctional Centres across the country, challenging the government to rise above the challenges and provide the necessary solutions.

He said the Nigerian Correctional Services Bill, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 14th August 2019, was a landmark in the history of Prison Services in Nigeria because it provided a move from the perception of the prison as a centre for retribution to a correctional facility with a focus on reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

On his part, the Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Ignatius Kaigama, in his remarks, called on Nigerians to be true to the worship of God, advocating an end to external religiosity, empty religious symbols, the erection of monumental places of worship, competition for religious superiority or supremacy, and doing everything to outdo one another by parading religion instead of living out our religious values.

“As we journey towards Easter, let us use this time to pray fervently for our country. We must recommit ourselves to being the light that dispels darkness, lead by example in honesty, service, and love. We must call for justice, advocate for the poor, and reject all forms of oppression. A new Nigeria is possible if we, as God’s people, take responsibility for building it with integrity and faith.

“All Nigerians can keep hope alive if we choose to be responsible citizens by upholding integrity in our daily dealings, refusing to participate in bribery and corruption, and supporting policies that promote social justice. We can also mentor the younger generation, instilling in them values of honesty, hard work, and patriotism. Above all, in our communities, let us engage in acts of kindness, uplift the vulnerable, and create environments where peace and unity thrive.”

He regretted the tragic incident in Holy Trinity, Maitama, Abuja, and other places where people were crushed to death in their desire to get food during last Christmas, describing it as a terrible embarrassment in a country like Nigeria, blessed with immense resources.

Meanwhile, the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in his remarks, said the theme of the first plenary session, “Jubilee of Hope: A light for a better Nigeria,” invites all to return to God and re-establish or strengthen their relationship with the Creator; to reflect on relationships with one another and with the entire creation in the light of God’s will.

He added: “It inspires us to give courageous leadership to efforts geared towards drastically reducing the level of wickedness in the Nigerian society and to rekindle the hope in others for a new nation of abundance and joy.

“Sadly, Nigeria has been wallowed with hopelessness and despair for a long time to the point that many of our fellow citizens are at their breaking points, while some have given up hope entirely in the midst of extreme conditions of hunger, poverty, insecurity, and disease.

“As you deliberate on the way forward for the Church and our nation, I pray that the Holy Spirit will grant you wisdom, strength, and renewed courage to be bearers of hope in the face of adversity. May your discussions yield fruitful outcomes that will contribute to our nation’s spiritual and moral rebirth.”