Tinubu to Catholic Bishops: Reforms Necessary to Build Resilient Economy, Guarantee Nigeria’s Future

*Vows not to tolerate religious bigotry 

*CBCN sues for unity, national integration 

*Reiterates stance against capital punishment 

Deji Elumoye and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu yesterday disclosed that he fully understands what Nigerians are going through but that the present economic reforms are necessary to build a resilient economy that guarantees the future of Nigerian children.
The President, who stated this in Abuja when he received the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), highlighted the importance of citizens and leaders investing in the nation to build a strong society. 
Also, yesterday, the CBCN enjoined politicians, religious and traditional leaders in the country to pursue actions and goals that promote the spirit of national integration.
The CBCN in a communique at the end of its week-long meeting in Abuja, reaffirmed the stance of the Catholic Church against capital punishment.
Speaking further, Tinubu emphasised that poverty affects everyone regardless of religion and called for collective efforts to fight it, stressing that the tax reform presented a good investment opportunity for citizens to build their nation.
“Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me, but it’s a hard choice that Nigeria must face. We are not going to bankrupt our country.
“We were spending the investment of the future of our children yet unborn; We were spending their rights, and poverty has no religious basis. There’s no religious colouration, no identity. It affects all, and we must fight it together,” the President emphasised.
On the request to return mission schools that governments have taken over, Tinubu said schools are subnational entities, not owned by the federal government.
“I’ve been a good example as the governor of Lagos state. I returned all the mission schools,” he said.
The President commended the Catholic body’s commitment to education and healthcare.
He added that he set up NELFUND to ensure that no student dropped out of school due to a lack of funds for tuition fees promising to look at ways to help students of private institutions that NELFUND does not cover.

Tinubu noted that the security agencies were already curtailing the nation’s insecurity, stressing that adherents of all religions felt the impact of the efforts.

“This insecurity, everyone is affected, Christians, Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I won’t be a bigot. My wife is a pastor of Redeemed Christian Church. But we have to think of our country; this country must develop and must stand beyond religious bigotry. And I’m here open to you, ready to listen.

“We’ve been together for some time. We have an open-door policy. I will not shut my door.”

The President thanked religious leaders for their prayers, as the country is already witnessing a better deal and a newfound optimism. He highlighted the competition among operators in the petroleum sector, the bountiful harvest enjoyed by farmers, and the lower prices of commodities, adding that investments are flowing into the country.

“There is hope; people are coming in to invest. They are saying good things about Nigeria. I am very proud of that. What seems to be a very difficult beginning is now showing us hope. And we are not half-time yet. I’m happy to see this period alive and healthy, and I am thankful to all of you for your prayers.

Earlier, Archbishop of Owerri and the CBCN President, Most Reverend Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, who led the delegation of 20 Bishops from across the country, said they were at the State House to congratulate Tinubu on his victory, having not had the opportunity last year, and to commend him for his efforts to reposition the country and share some concerns.

“Your government’s policy mantra is anchored on the principles of Renewed Hope. In this regard, we are pleased to inform you that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has declared this year as the year of hope, the Jubilee Year of Hope, a theme we adopted for our conference. We came with the final fruits of our deliberations and will share them with you,” he explained.

He said the removal of fuel subsidies had undoubtedly affected the people and commended the tax reform initiative, which he believed would “generate, in the long run, more resources for advancing the common good.”

The cleric acknowledged the efforts of security agencies to curtail insecurity in the land. Still, he urged for more concerted efforts to “rekindle hope and inspire confidence in the hearts of our people.”

The Bishops called for a well-defined vision of religion as a force for moral integrity and patriotic unity without necessarily impinging on individuals’ fundamental rights.

According to them, “efforts should be made to ensure that religious practice in Nigeria fosters unity rather than division.”

On religious pilgrimages, the body said the government should hands-off sponsorship to curtail waste and corruption.

According to CBCN President: “The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organising pilgrimages. In their current structure, the national and state pilgrims’ boards serve neither their adherents nor the broader interest of the nation. You’re undoubtedly aware of the instances of corruption that have led to the removal of some board executives to ensure greater efficiency and accountability.

“We would propose that public funds be redirected towards pressing national needs”.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, who was also at the event, recalled his attendance at the Charismatic Bishop Conference in 2024, emphasising the need for the nation to remain together, to be united, to be focused, and to maintain support for the government, even in the face of temporary hardship.

“It is no news that in any reform that happens in all parts of the world, temporary hardships are usually experienced. And we’re happy to note that today, not only does the federal government have more money to spend to bring about the kind of promises that the President made at the very beginning, but also to ensure that the future, according to the President, as he always says, the future of our children and the children yet unborn, will not be frittered away.”

Mohammed said security had greatly improved in the nation. “In 2023, I know how difficult it was to move from Abuja to Kaduna; it is almost impossible just to take your car, fuel it, and begin to go on that road. Today, this is not the case. We know that farmers used to find it extremely difficult to go to the farms. We know that this has not completely gone away, but it is a reality that today, no one asks questions to move from Abuja to Kaduna or any part of the North.”

He said the national value charter that the President championed in his 2025 New Year message will soon be launched to ensure that Nigerians come together to reclaim our lost values.

He added that the National Orientation Agency was working to ensure that both religions teach the Bible and the Quran in our schools and the return of civic education.

The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, also attended the event.

In the meantime, the CBCN has reaffirmed the stance of the Catholic Church against capital punishment.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a week-long meeting held in Abuja, the Bishops urged Nigerians not to be cowed to silence and helplessness, but rather insist always on doing the right thing and having it done.

The communiqué signed by Ugorji and Secretary Bishop Donatus Ogun, urged leaders to work to promote the spirit of national integration in the citizenry in order to instill hope and development. 

 “We invite all to always pursue actions that make for unity and national integration. Again, we request our political, religious and traditional leaders to promote the spirit of national integration in the citizenry in order to instill hope and development. 

“We demand that those governments that ordered the closure of all schools in some parts of the country, withdraw such order in the light of the rights of the children to education and the multi-religious nature of our society.”

 As part of advocacy to improve the state of our custodial centres, the bishops enjoined the federal and state governments to rehabilitate the existing facilities, and construct new correctional centres to ease overcrowding. 

They also urged the government to endeavour to uphold  the fundamental rights of prison inmates, treating them with dignity and adopting non -custodial measures in deserving cases.

As part of measures to decongest the existing correctional centres, the bishops suggested granting parole to well-behaved minor offenders.

On the issue of the death sentence, CBCN said: “We reaffirm the stand of the Catholic Church that capital punishment is unacceptable.

 “We therefore make a passionate appeal to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu especially in the light of the Jubilee Year of Hope, to grant pardon to Mr. Sunday Jackson whose conviction was recently upheld by the Supreme Court. 

 The Catholic bishops called on government at all levels to create an enabling environment for job opportunities in an ongoing manner.  

They said more investments were needed in agriculture to facilitate the involvement of the youth in it and boost provision of food in a sustainable manner. 

In addition, the bishops said with improved security and safety for farmers, there would be greater production of food and reduction in the escalated cost of food all over Nigeria.