Nigeria’s Insecurity Calls for a Culture of Belonging Beyond Tribe, Religion, Says Catholic Official

Fr. Michael Banjo, Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said Nigeria's persistent insecurity, displacement, and economic hardship stem from a crisis of national belonging. Speaking in an interview with ACI Africa on October 1, the priest noted that violence and national challenges should encourage citizens to move past ethnic, religious, or regional responses to injustice.

Fr. Banjo described the current situation as a moral challenge rather than just a political or economic one. He stated that Nigerians have not yet fully embraced the responsibility to protect the life, dignity, and welfare of every fellow citizen. He observed that families are mourning victims of violence, communities are being displaced, and many people struggle to afford healthcare, education, and food.

Reflecting on the 66th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Fr. Banjo suggested the occasion serves as a time for an honest examination of the country's history and future. He noted that while the nation was declared to have firm foundations at independence in 1960, historical observations from leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe showed that many Nigerians still felt like strangers in their own country.