Tinubu's policies pushing millions into poverty - Catholic Bishops The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) reveals the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has triggered sky-rocketing inflation and pushed millions of Nigerians into poverty.
The Archbishop of Owerri and President of the CBCN, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, revealed this at the opening session of the 2025 First Plenary Meeting of the conference, held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), on Sunday, in Abuja.
Speaking at the contingency themed ‘”Jubilee of Hope: A light for the better Nigeria, he disclosed Nigerians have remained to endure increasing misfortune on account of the rough-cut socio-economic situation, comprising high cost of petroleum products, transportation and inherent goods.
“While the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration aims at stabilising the economy on the long term, they have significantly triggered sky-rocketing inflation, drastically reduced the purchasing power of Nigerians, and plunged millions into poverty.
“The World Bank projects that 129 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line. The 2024 Global Report on Food Crisis lists Nigeria as the second globally in terms of acute food insecurity, with 24 million people categorised as food insecure. According to data drawn from the National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation hit 39.84% in December 2024. It is revealed that Nigerians now spend about 65% of their income on food alone. Thus healthcare and other basic necessities are sacrificed,” Ugorji revealed.
He noted that government’s efforts to relieve the sufferings of the citizenry through the distribution of palliatives, duty wavers on imported food items, and other enumerates have continued the tip of the iceberg.
He disclosed while Nigerians endured to suffer and die, the resultant daily showcase is having heavy tolls on the mental health of many parents as they overstretch themselves to make ends meet.
He, however stated that in recent times, citizens have witnessed the rehabilitation of more or less dilapidated roads and the construction of new ones across the nation; the introduction of the student loan scheme, the new minimum wage, and the decrease in revenue to debt servicing from 97% to 68%.
He revealed they have likewise learnt of a few of the self-existing effects of the economic and fiscal reforms ventured upon by government.
He stated, “Despite all these, the state of the nation abides stark, as dark clouds of uncertainty and despondency abide to gather. In this address, I shall cast a cursory glance at four issues, comprising the rough-cut socio-economic situation of our nation, aggravating insecurity, rising youth unemployment and the deplorable state of our federal correctional centres.”
Speaking on insecurity, Ugorji reported that the scourge after all is said and done persists, and is even getting worse across the nation as the ‘armies’ of Boko Haram, bandits, unknown gunmen continue to grow in number, as well as in acts of wickedness and barbarism.
He disclosed kidnapping for ransom and the mindless killing of innocent people are on the rise, with the targeting of priests and religious across the county.
On his portion, the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated the theme of the first plenary session, “Jubilee of Hope: A light for the better Nigeria,” invites all to backtrack to God and re-establish or enhance their relative position with the Creator; to take pattern by on relationships with one another and with the entire creativeness in the light of God’s will.
Regards to All Local News Sources and International News Organisations.
Category: World-News
Tag: Tinubus policies pushing millions into poverty Catholic Bishops
Written by Author
Published 3/9/2025