ABUJA, Nigeria — The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) cautioned political leaders that the patience of citizens amid rising hardship should not be interpreted as endorsement of current economic and security conditions, urging authorities to ensure that ongoing reforms deliver tangible relief in the year ahead.
In a New Year message signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association’s president, CAN reflected on the difficulties of the past year and outlined expectations for governance, security and economic management in 2026.
The statement was issued on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
CAN said 2025 had been “a difficult one for many Nigerians,” citing economic pressure, increased living costs, insecurity and uncertainty that placed “enormous strain” on families and communities.
‘Endurance Is Not Approval,’ CAN Says
The association warned officials not to confuse resilience with satisfaction, saying that Nigerians’ ability to cope under strain does not signal that “all is well.”
“The quiet endurance of our people is not a sign that all is well; rather, it is a reminder of how much healing, relief, and justice our nation still needs,” CAN said.
The group urged governments to intensify efforts to combat insecurity and corruption and to ensure that reforms reduce poverty and improve living conditions.
Call for Reforms With Visible Results
CAN said discussion of recovery and growth must translate into outcomes that citizens can see in their daily lives.
“Economic advancement must be evident in the daily lives of citizens—when food is affordable, healthcare is accessible, education is attainable, and meaningful work is available,” the statement said.
On fiscal and tax policies, the organisation urged restraint and fairness, warning that new measures should not deepen hardship for already vulnerable households.
Security and Displacement Concerns
The association described persistent insecurity — including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime — as a “grave national concern.”
It called on the government to convert commitments into concrete results in the coming months.
“We hope that the government will deliver on its promises to reduce insecurity to the lowest levels in this new year,” CAN said.
The group also called for a clear and time-bound plan for resettling communities displaced by violence, saying it was “unjust and unacceptable” for citizens to remain indefinitely uprooted from their homes and livelihoods.
CAN said national healing required restored security, rebuilding of infrastructure and the safe return of displaced people, noting that “a nation cannot claim healing while entire communities remain unsettled.”
Appeal for Ethical Leadership
Beyond economics and security, CAN said Nigeria’s problems also involved “deeper moral concerns,” including corruption, injustice and division, which it said were eroding public trust.
“Leadership at all levels must be guided by integrity, accountability, and a sincere commitment to serve rather than dominate,” the association said.
Archbishop Okoh reaffirmed that the Church would continue to “stand with the people” and support national unity.
“We declare that Nigeria is not without a future,” he said, expressing confidence that better days remain possible.
