By Dennis Udoma, Ikot Ekpene
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic hardship, corruption, and decaying institutions, declaring that unless urgent and drastic reforms are undertaken, the country risks imminent collapse.
Speaking at the 2025 Interactive Session of the CBCN with prominent lay faithful of the Calabar Ecclesiastical Province on Saturday at the Ikot Ekpene Diocesan Retreat and Youth Centre, Archbishop Ugorji lamented that Nigerians now live in “communities of fear, flight, and funerals,” ravaged daily by kidnappings, killings, and displacement.
The Archbishop condemned the deepening economic distress, spiraling youth unemployment, and mass migration, which he described as symptoms of a failing state.
He also referenced Nigeria’s decayed health system, citing the recent death of former President Muhammadu Buhari in London as a tragic reminder of the nation’s dependence on foreign hospitals while millions at home die from treatable illnesses.
On education and power supply, he decried chronic underfunding and infrastructural rot, stressing that corruption “spreading unchecked like a deadly cancer” continues to cripple every sector of national life.
Archbishop Ugorji berated politicians for abandoning governance in reckless pursuit of the 2027 general elections, saying both ruling and opposition parties are fixated on political scheming while existential threats engulf the country.
He however insisted that the rescue of Nigeria cannot be left to politicians alone, urging Catholics and the laity at large to take up their civic responsibility as “salt of the earth and light of the world,” and inject gospel values, justice, and the common good into politics, economics, and culture.
Calling for urgent electoral reforms, the CBCN President demanded electronic transmission and real-time collation of results, as well as the appointment of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials of unquestionable integrity.
The CBCN President further urged constitutional amendments to insulate INEC from manipulation, warning that “those who frustrate peaceful reforms make violent changes unavoidable.”
He also condemned the rising practice of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), demanding stronger ethical oversight, while urging the government to crack down on miracle examination centres” that continue to undermine educational standards.
The solemn opening session which began with a Holy Mass, was attended by dignitaries including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator, George Akume, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, and other key stakeholders.
Governor Umo Eno, in his goodwill remarks, commended the Catholic Church for consistently championing social reforms and standing for justice and good governance.
He highlighted his administration’s Christ-centric welfare programmes, including 205 ARISE Compassionate Homes for widows and vulnerable families, stipends for elders, food distribution to nearly half a million households, and over N70 billion in cleared gratuities.
Eno reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a health emergency plan, recruitment of medical personnel, and massive infrastructural upgrades, before warmly welcoming the Bishops to Akwa Ibom for the week-long conference.
