By Samson Adeyanju
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has called for renewed moral courage and national unity in Nigeria amid worsening insecurity and religious tensions.
Speaking at the Vatican during the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom, Bishop Kukah delivered an address titled “A Plea and Testimony from Nigeria” at the Augustinianum Hall.
He lamented Nigeria’s deepening security crisis and the blurring of lines between terrorism, religious persecution, and criminal violence, saying, “Nigerians are dying for a living.”
The cleric praised Nigeria’s heritage of interfaith harmony, recalling personal collaborations with Muslim leaders in Sokoto, while urging government institutions to end impunity and uphold citizens’ rights.
Bishop Kukah advised against classifying Nigeria as a “Country of Concern,” warning that such a move could harm ongoing peace efforts.
Instead, he appealed for support for local initiatives promoting dialogue and inclusion.
The event, marking 25 years of ACN’s global advocacy for religious freedom, was attended by senior Church leaders, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who noted that over 5.4 billion people live without full religious freedom.
“Despite our challenges,” Bishop Kukah said, “Nigeria still has a window of opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen unity, and show that faith can heal rather than divide.”
