The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the touted successes of ongoing economic reforms are meaningfully reflected in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The association stressed that true national progress must go beyond favourable statistics to touch the daily realities of citizens.
CAN’s position came in response to President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, in which he highlighted signs of economic recovery.
According to the President, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, the fastest pace in four years and above the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) forecast of 3.4 per cent. Inflation, he said, had dropped to 20.12 per cent, its lowest in three years, crediting these improvements to “sound monetary and fiscal policies.”
However, in his Independence Day message marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, urged the government not to celebrate economic indicators while many Nigerians continue to struggle with daily hardship.
“True progress must be measured not only by statistics but by the food on every table, the security of every community, and the opportunities available to every child,” Okoh said.
CAN acknowledged that Nigeria has made remarkable strides in sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and telecommunications, moving from “a handful of schools and institutions” at independence to thousands that have trained generations of professionals.
Nevertheless, the Christian body warned that the current wave of economic reforms — though perhaps necessary — had also introduced severe short-term challenges for millions of Nigerians.
“The rising cost of living, food insecurity, unemployment, and inflation continue to weigh heavily on households. Many are yet to feel the benefits of the reforms,” the statement read.
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On the issue of national security, Archbishop Okoh expressed concern that threats such as terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and communal violence continued to erode public confidence and disrupt livelihoods.
“Security remains an urgent concern. While strides have been made in restoring safety, more must be done to protect lives and property across the country,” he said.
To address these challenges, CAN called for deeper collaboration between the government, security agencies, communities, and faith-based organisations to build lasting peace and social cohesion.
In addition to security, the association highlighted the pressing issue of youth migration and brain drain. It urged the government to invest heavily in education, innovation, and employment opportunities to harness the energy and creativity of the country’s young population.
“To stem this tide, there must be greater investment in education, innovation, and youth empowerment, ensuring that no young Nigerian is left behind,” CAN stated.
Archbishop Okoh also took the opportunity to remind citizens of their civic duties, urging Nigerians to pay taxes, support local industries, and promote justice and equity in their communities.
“On this anniversary, let us renew our commitment to justice, equity, and good governance. Let us embrace hard work… and show love to one another as one people under God,” he added.
CAN’s Independence Day message adds a moral and humanitarian dimension to the ongoing economic conversation in the country, pressing for reforms that not only impress on paper but also uplift the nation’s most vulnerable.
