The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has expressed serious worry over the rising insecurity, lamenting that farmers in rural communities are bearing a heavy burden, driven by falling grain prices, rising cost of living, and policy measures that have yet to deliver meaningful relief.

He also expressed concern about government importation of grains and recent tax reforms, which have further contributed to economic uncertainty, adding that the lingering effects of earlier policies continue to weigh on ordinary Nigerians.

Speaking during the Annual General Assembly of the Archdiocese, Most Rev. Ndagoso, who’s also the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, said the combined pressure of insecurity and economic hardship has left many Nigerians disillusioned, with rising poverty levels and growing despair across communities.

He therefore called for stronger accountability and transparency in both governance and Church administration, warning that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and deepening economic hardship are pushing many citizens into severe distress.

He identified insecurity as a major national challenge, pointing to persistent cases of banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, armed robbery, and communal clashes in several parts of the country. According to him, despite various interventions, the situation remains deeply troubling, especially in rural areas where livelihoods are increasingly under constant threat.

Ndagoso stressed the need for the Church to serve as a model of accountability, particularly in the management of resources entrusted to it by the faithful. He warned against the misuse of Church funds and cautioned that the growing tendency of some individuals to pursue leadership positions for personal gain rather than service undermines the credibility of the Gospel message.

The Archbishop however commended the active participation of young people in Church activities but called for improved guidance and discipline, noting isolated cases of unruly conduct in some groups.

He advocated for sustained investment in youth development programmes, particularly skills acquisition initiatives aimed at strengthening their economic and social empowerment. The archbishop, however, encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope, insisting that the country still has the potential for recovery and can gain meaningful improvement if the right values are embraced.