The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has expressed concern over the persistent insecurity, poverty and infrastructure deficit confronting Nigerians, urging governments at all levels to take urgent measures to address the challenges.

The bishops made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of their Second Plenary Meeting for 2026, held from September 10 to 18 at the Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke-Gada, Ede, in Osun State.

The communiqué, signed by CBCN President, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, and Secretary, Bishop Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo of Abeokuta, described insecurity, poverty, poor infrastructure, bad governance and assaults on human dignity as continuing challenges to Nigeria’s development.

On security, the bishops acknowledged the government’s move towards decentralising the police system but cautioned that any restructuring of the security architecture should be implemented in the interest of the common good rather than for personal, ethnic, political or religious interests.

The CBCN expressed concern over the continued incidence of widespread violence, kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and the alleged theft of the country’s natural resources.

The bishops called on the government to take decisive measures to end banditry and recover territories being used for criminal activities, while ensuring that such areas are returned to productive use.

They also expressed concern over attacks on schools and places of worship, including the abduction and killing of students and worshippers.

The Communique partly read: “We recognize the move by government to decentralise the police system to tackle insecurity in our nation. At the same time, we request that such a reorganisation should be deployed for the common good rather than for personal, ethnic, political and religious interests.

“We observe that incidents of widespread violence, kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and stealing of our common natural resources persist. All these rob citizens of peace and threaten the unity of the nation. In a special way, we demand Government to do all that is necessary to stop banditry and recover the vast portions of land used for this criminal activity and ensure a productive and beneficial use of the land.

“We note with concern that the invasion of schools and places of worship and abduction or even killing of students and worshippers still go on. More so, the massive displacement of communities in some parts of our nation has taken a toll on the social, economic and political lives of our people, with millions of people in IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps across the country. We enjoin Government to intensify efforts and impactful actions to enable the displaced persons return to their ancestral homes.”

The CBCN also appealed to Nigerians to report suspicious activities, cooperate with security agencies and reject ethnic and religious divisions.

“We equally urge government at all levels to ensure that all people including migrants and refugees are treated with respect and human dignity with their basic rights and needs guaranteed and respected. While we pray for the repose of those who have been killed, we encourage Government to strengthen security forces, deploy better intelligence, and hold wrongdoers accountable. We ask our people to report suspicious activities, cooperate with security agencies, and reject ethnic or religious divisions,” it read.

The bishops also raised concerns over the level of poverty and hardship confronting Nigerian families.

The Conference said many families were struggling to meet basic needs despite the country’s abundant natural and human resources.

It called on the Federal and state governments to create more employment opportunities, support local businesses and formulate economic policies capable of reducing the financial burden on poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

The bishops also called for policies that would create an enabling environment for private-sector participation in economic development.

At the same time, they urged Nigerians to embrace honest labour, support local enterprises and reject criminality and corrupt practices.

The CBCN said concerted efforts were required from governments at all levels to reduce poverty and alleviate the hardship experienced by citizens.

The bishops also identified inadequate infrastructure as another major obstacle to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

They specifically cited bad roads, erratic electricity supply and failing public utilities as problems affecting economic growth and the daily lives of Nigerians.

The Conference therefore charged governments to increase transparent investment in public infrastructure, repair critical roads and ensure reliable electricity and access to clean water.

It also called for the provision and expansion of railway transportation facilities across the country, saying improved rail connectivity would enhance the socioeconomic wellbeing of Nigerians.

The bishops urged citizens to protect public infrastructure against vandalism and report corrupt practices associated with infrastructure projects.

The bishops said Nigeria’s challenges should not obscure the country’s considerable human and natural resources, while acknowledging what they described as positive efforts by governments and citizens to preserve national unity.

However, they maintained that insecurity, poverty, inadequate infrastructure, bad governance and attacks on human dignity continued to undermine the wellbeing of citizens.