Nigeria Still Far From Its Promise, But Citizens Must Remain Hopeful and Vigilant — Bishop Kukah

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s slow pace of development, persistent corruption, and the attitude of political leaders, while urging citizens to remain hopeful and committed to building a better nation.
In an interview, the outspoken cleric said dissatisfaction with the country’s current state is natural, noting that human beings are wired to aspire for continuous progress.
Quoting St. Augustine, Kukah said human beings will always remain restless in their pursuit of improvement. He explained that this same principle applies to Nigeria as a nation, stressing that development is a gradual journey that requires patience and sacrifice across generations.
He lamented that unlike in some societies where sacrifices of previous generations laid a foundation for progress, Nigeria has struggled to sustain such continuity.
According to him, many young Nigerians today do not fully appreciate the hardships and sacrifices their parents endured to create opportunities for them.
Despite this, Kukah acknowledged that Nigeria has recorded some progress, though he insisted the country is far from where it should be.
“We are nowhere near where we ought to be. I’m not happy that corruption still persists. I’m not happy that the political elite often appear insensitive to the needs of the people. There is also no real sense of urgency in addressing Nigeria’s problems,” he said.
However, he commended Nigerians for remaining patient and committed to democracy despite the challenges.
He warned against violent agitation, noting that destruction would not solve the nation’s problems.
Kukah also addressed questions about Nigeria’s system of government, explaining that while the current federal structure may not be perfect, Nigerians must learn to work with it and improve it.
He noted that many of the foundational political decisions were made during colonial rule without Nigerians’ input, but stressed that the responsibility now lies with citizens and leaders to strengthen the system.
He added that no country achieves democratic perfection overnight, pointing out that even older democracies are still evolving.
The cleric emphasised that Nigerians must take responsibility for their country’s future instead of blaming external forces.
He said political leaders must listen to citizens and take their responsibilities seriously, while citizens must also actively contribute to national development.
Speaking on the 2027 general election, Kukah urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and participate actively in the electoral process.
He encouraged citizens to obtain their voter cards and remain engaged, warning against apathy.
“All politics is local. Make sure you have your voter card and remain vigilant,” he said.
On the role of the church, Kukah said religious institutions have played significant roles in shaping society, especially through education and moral guidance.
However, he stressed that individuals must take responsibility for their actions after receiving moral teachings.
He said it was wrong for Nigerians to blame religious leaders for societal problems while ignoring personal responsibility.
Kukah also clarified controversy surrounding comments attributed to him on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
He stated that he was misquoted and never said there was no genocide, explaining that his comments were taken out of context.
He insisted he has consistently spoken out about injustice, violence, and inequality in Nigeria.
Reflecting on leadership and national unity, Kukah urged Nigerians to focus on building a country where merit, character, and competence matter more than religion or ethnicity.
He reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria, saying he would never abandon the country despite its challenges.
“I could have lived elsewhere, but I will never trade Nigeria for any other country. I would rather remain here and contribute to making it better,” he said.
He concluded by urging both leaders and citizens to work together to build a more just, peaceful, and prosperous nation, expressing hope that future generations would benefit from the sacrifices of today.