ABUJA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its newly elected President, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, paid a high-profile courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, presenting critical observations on national unity, political space, and educational expansion.

The address, delivered by Archbishop Ndagoso (the Archbishop of Kaduna), highlighted the Church’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government as “partners in building a just, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”

Key Highlights of the CBCN Address

The address focused on four primary areas of concern and commendation regarding the administration’s policy trajectory:

• Addressing Christian Inclusivity Concerns: Archibishop Ndagoso acknowledged the recent 50th-anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, marked by the visit of Archbishop Paul Gallagher. He urged President Tinubu to introduce deliberate policies to reassure Nigerian Christians regarding their rights and constitutional placement following the departure from the traditional Christian/Muslim presidential ticket.
• Expanding Tertiary Education & NELFund: While praising the administration’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) for offering financial relief to students, the CBCN expressed concern over the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) recent moratorium on establishing new private universities, warning that limited university slots could stifle the gains of the student loan initiative.
• Guarding Against a One-Party State: Highlighting President Tinubu’s historic record as a pro-democracy activist and opposition leader during military rule, the Bishops urged the President to prevent the constriction of the political space. They called on ruling APC governors, lawmakers, and local officials to guarantee a level playing field and strengthen democratic institutions rather than fostering a single-party environment.

Key Summary Matrix

  DELEGATION:          Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)
  LEADER:              Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso (Archbishop of Kaduna & CBCN President)
  RECIPIENT:           President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
  DATE OF VISIT:       July 28, 2026
  PRIMARY CONCERNS:    Political space constriction (one-party fears), NUC private university moratorium, Christian inclusion
  COMMENDATIONS:       NELFund (Student Loan Initiative) & 50 Years of Holy See-Nigeria Diplomatic Relations

Strengthening Democratic Legacy

The Catholic Bishops concluded by urging President Tinubu to ensure that governance at all levels prioritizes fairness, institutional integrity, and equal opportunity for all citizens regardless of political or religious affiliations, stressing that protecting democratic norms will define the administration’s historical legacy.