Nigeria's Condition Debated: Bishops Present Concerns to President Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on July 28, 2026, engaging in discussions about the nation's progress and challenges. The presidency, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, initially framed the meeting as an update on the country's stabilization efforts and the "prosperity on the horizon."

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I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism.

During the meeting, Tinubu highlighted his administration's actions to combat terrorism and banditry, including the expansion of the armed forces and acquisition of new equipment. He also pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the absence of university strikes as signs of economic recovery. "The country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered," Tinubu stated, adding that "life is improving."

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I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving.

However, the full text of the address by CBCN President Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso revealed a more nuanced and critical perspective from the bishops. While commending certain government initiatives like the Education Loan Fund and acknowledging the rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren, they expressed deeper concerns. These included the broader security situation, the limited spaces in tertiary education, and the persistent issue of poverty.

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The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone.

The bishops also raised sensitive questions about the representation of Christians in the government following the departure from the informal Christian-Muslim balance in the presidency. They sought reassurance from Tinubu regarding Christians' equal rights and place in Nigeria through deliberate policies and actions. The bishops' address, while not a complete condemnation, presented a more troubling assessment of the nation's condition than the presidency's initial summary suggested.

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They recognised specific government efforts while questioning whether those efforts had produced sufficient improvement.