Communiqué of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria After the First
Plenary of 2026
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), having gathered in
plenary at the Catholic Secretariat, Durumi, Abuja, from 21–25 February 2026,
issues the following communiqué after its closing Mass and media
briefing:
Leadership Transition
The Conference announces the election of Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna as President of the CBCN, succeeding Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri. The bishops express gratitude for Archbishop Ugorji’s service and pledge support to Archbishop Ndagoso in his new role.
Theme of the Plenary
The plenary was held under the theme “The Common Good and Leadership in Nigeria.” The bishops reflected deeply on the moral responsibilities of leaders, the pursuit of justice, and the need for governance rooted in service and integrity.
National Concerns
The bishops lament the worsening insecurity across Nigeria, marked by
kidnappings, killings, and violence. They describe the nation as “bleeding
endlessly” and call on government authorities to act decisively to protect
lives and restore peace.
Democracy and Elections
The bishops stress the importance of credible elections in 2027, warning
that electoral malpractice undermines democracy and erodes public trust. They
urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders
to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability.
Call to Servant Leadership
The bishops remind leaders at all levels that governance must be
directed toward the common good. They call for courage, honesty, and
people-centered policies that prioritize justice, peace, and the dignity of
every Nigerian.
Solidarity with the Universal Church
The presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael
Francis Crotty, was acknowledged as a sign of the global Church’s solidarity
with Nigeria. The bishops reaffirm their communion with the Holy Father and the
universal Church.
Pastoral Commitment
The bishops pledge to continue guiding the faithful with hope,
encouraging resilience in the face of challenges, and promoting unity across
Nigeria’s diverse communities.
Read below, the full
copy of the communique as received:
A Press Conference
Delivered by Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Out-going CBCN President, at the
Close of the First Plenary Assembly on Wednesday, 25 February, 2026
THEME: Lendership for
the Common Good
1. Introduction
Your Eminence, Your
Excellencies, dear brother Bishops, clergy, consecrated men and women, beloved
lay faithful, distinguished members of the press, and fellow Nigerians, On
behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, I warmly welcome you to
this press briefing at the conclusion of our 2026 First Plenary Assembly, held
at the CSN Resource Centre of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Abuja,
from 19-26 February
After prayerful
deliberations on issues affecting the Church and our nation, here is a summary
of the key reflections and exhortation expressed in our communique.
2. Lent and Ramadan:
A Call to Unity
It is a unique
spiritual moment that the seasons of Lent and Ramadan occur simultaneously this
year. We see this as God's invitation for Christians and Muslims, indead
Nigerians of all faiths, to work in harmony, intensify prayer, and repent from
evil ways, while fostering good neighbourliness and work together towards the
social transformation of our nation.
3. The Common Good
& Responsible Citizenship The central theme of our deliberations has been
on Leadership and the Common Good, which is the foundation of a just society.
The Church teaches that the "good of the individual is bound up with the
good of the community" For us, the Common Good is the sum of social
conditions that allow every human person to flourish. It requires respect for human
dignity, rights, and the welfare of all. Every Nigerian has a role in building
conditions that allow life to flourish because responsible citizenship is a
virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. Public
authority must ensure access to csentials of life, like food, health,
education, work, peace, and security, without repression or tyranny Effective
leadership means serving all, not a few.
4. State of the
Nation
On insecurity in the
nation, we observe that despite efforts by government, massacres, mase
kidnappings, and displacement of persons from their homeland persists. We mourn
the over 200 brothers and sisters, both Christians and Muslims, recently
massacred in Woro and Nuku villages of Kwara State, and the ongoing mass
kidnappings in Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, and many other parts of the country.
Recognising the need for more proactive measures in protecting Nigerians, we
call for more investment in modern surveillance technology, stronger
intelligence gathering, and swift prosecution of terrorists and their sponsors.
Delay or pardon breeds complicity.
The state of our
economy is alarming. While Nigeria is rich in resources, its citizens
keep struggling to
survive The wealth generated from our natural resources is not translating to
prosperity for the majority, leading to widespread poverty and hardship For
instance, billions of US dollars are lost to illegal mining and bunkering,
which in turn fund terrorism. The "Mining Marshals" established by
the government is a step in the right direction; but it has to be complimented
by the use of modern technology. We therefore urge government to deploy
advanced monitoring tools, secure mining sites. They should support local
farmers rather than embarking on mass importation of food, as a way of lowering
the prices of food items, which is hurtful to local farmers. Rather than this,
we urge government to give subsidies and all other forms of support to local
farmers and provide them with security so they can return to the farm without
fear of attack
5. Saving Our
Democracy
Poor leadership and
electoral malpractice are eroding trust in our democracy. We call for reforms
to ensure mandatory real time transmission of election results from the polling
units to the collation centres via BVAS and IReV, in order to restore voter
confidence and legitimacy. Without this transparency, the will of the people is
in danger of being subverted by "human interference."
At the same time, we
encourage all citizens of voting age to get their voters card ready, go out to
vote on the day of elections, and to also defend their votes. Nigerian voters
must not give up.
6. New Leadership within the CBCN
During this Plenary,
we held elections for our own Conference. I hereby present the new principal
officers: The President is Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Archbishop of
Kaduna; the Vice President is Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Archbishop
of Lagos, the Secretary is Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, the Bishop of Abeokuta
Diocese, and the Assistant Secretary is Most Rev. Peter Chukwu, the Bishop of
Abakaliki. We congratulate the newly elected executive officers of the CBCN and
pray for God's wisdom and strength for them. On the same note, we thank the
outgoing team for their service.
7. Conclusion: Hope
for Nigeria
A better Nigeria is
possible. We must never give in to despair. Our faith calls us to serve the
least among us and to work collectively for social transformation rooted in the
common good. With probity, competence, and commitment to good leadership, und
through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Nigeria, we pray
to achieve a nation of justice, peace, and love.
Lucias Iwejura UGORJI Archbishop of Owerri President. CBCN
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