President Bola Ahmed Tinubu receives the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by Mathew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna and President of CBCN, in the State House. Tuesday, July 28, 2026
…calls on clergy to condemn violence in sermons
By Egena Sunday Ode
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday assured the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, that ongoing reforms in the security sector will deliver victory over terrorism, banditry and kidnapping nationwide.
Receiving the CBCN delegation led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna, at the State House, Tinubu said Nigeria’s security architecture was being “repositioned for greater efficiency” through enhanced intelligence, restructuring of institutions, improved logistics and better welfare for frontline personnel.
“We don’t have another country but here – this Nigeria,” the President said. “I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons. I won’t deviate from our national anthem.”
He urged religious leaders to actively condemn violent attacks, guide their members and support government efforts to end insurgency.
On the economy, Tinubu declared that the country had been “placed on a sound footing” and that the fears of bankruptcy had been averted.
“I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed,” he said.
“The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving.”
The President attributed the situation to policies his administration inherited, adding: “I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. I have been running with it.”
He listed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, as one of the interventions sustaining livelihoods and said more universities had been approved to meet demand for tertiary education. Statistics from the National Universities Commission, NUC, he said, would guide budgeting for NELFUND.
“To educate our children, I can say your children because you are revered fathers. You can’t say a four-year course in the university is not four years now. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to our homes. Is that not an answer to our prayers?” Tinubu asked.
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, the President defended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying it had remained neutral.
“The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows,” he said.
On education, Tinubu said state governors have constitutional authority over the return of mission schools, recalling that he returned such schools in Lagos. “Cardinal Okogie, one of my best friends, is alive to testify to that,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition, noting that “we have no control over population growth and trajectory.”
In his remarks, Archbishop Ndagoso thanked Tinubu for receiving the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during events marking 50 years of Nigeria-Vatican diplomatic relations.
He listed the CBCN’s areas of concern as security, quality tertiary education and limited admission spaces, sustaining democratic gains, credible elections and poverty.
Ndagoso also asked the President to consider the return of mission schools and ensure fair treatment for all worshippers, including provision of places of worship across the country without bias.
He called for free and fair elections in 2027, saying “As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule in the dark days of the military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” the Archbishop said.
Members of the delegation included Cardinals John Onaiyekan and Peter Okpaleke, Archbishops Alfred Martins of Lagos, Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Gabriel Abegunrin of Ibadan and Valerian Okeke of Onitsha, and Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto, among 19 CBCN leaders.
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