The Catholic Church in Nigeria can have a greater impact on the people of God in the West African nation than she is currently having if the government complemented her formal education and healthcare initiatives through “subsidies”. 

This is according to members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), who have said that such financial support would enhance the performance of these institutions.

In their communiqué at the end of their nine-day 2024 second Plenary Assembly that concluded on Friday, August 30, CBCN members said that, despite offering services to all Nigerians indiscriminately, Catholic institutions received no support from the government.

“We urge the government to complement the effort of the Church through regular financial subsidies for her to do more for our people across the board,” the Catholic Bishops said in the communiqué following their August 22-30 plenary that took place in Auchi Diocese.

Nigeria’s government complementing Church initiatives in the formal education and health sectors, CBCN members said, “is a matter of justice for the children who attend our schools (Child’s Rights Act s. 15) and for the sick in our health institutions.”

The Catholic Church leaders went on to highlight the uniqueness and success of the Catholic Education Curriculum over the years and urged Nigeria’s Ministry of education to “respect the Curriculum of Catholic education and to offer our educational institutions the assistance they need to perform optimally”

“Our educational system, with its emphasis on the all-round formation of the mind, conscience, and character, has continued to produce thousands of personalities who are doing exceedingly well in all sectors of life both within and outside the country,” they said.

CBCN members noted that Catholic-sponsored institutions of learning and health centres are “not-for-profit public facilities” serving all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity or religion. They emphasized, “We do not accept the fact that our schools and hospitals are seen by the government as private ventures.”

Institutions of learning and health facilities under the auspices of the Catholic Church in Nigeria “render public services to all without exception”, they emphasized in the statement that CBCN president, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji and Secretary, Bishop Donatus A. Ogun, signed.

In their statement, Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops also expressed “deep concern” over the challenges the people of God in the country are facing, including food insecurity and hunger.

They pointed to a combination of factors contributing to this challenge, including high electricity tariffs, rising costs of petroleum products, transportation, and the general lack of basic infrastructure in many parts of the country.

They added, “Food insecurity and hunger in Nigeria are caused, among other factors, by persistent insecurity from terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and herdsmen that have disrupted agricultural activities and livelihoods in many parts of the country.”

The government's efforts to address the challenge through measures such as the declaration of a state of emergency on food insecurity, food importation, cash transfer schemes, and distribution of palliatives have not stabilized food prices, CBCN members noted.

They advocated for comprehensive policies and programs that address the root causes of food insecurity. They also “enjoin governments to support farmers with subsidies, soft loans, modern technology, and improved seedlings” and caution against “genetically modified seedlings.”

The Catholic Church leaders also underscored the need for collective responsibility and repentance saying that the current state of Nigeria is a result of corruption and dishonesty at various levels of society.