The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has raised fresh concern over the state of Nigeria, describing it as trapped in persistent instability driven by insecurity, weak leadership, and rising public frustration.
In his 2026 Easter message titled “Faith and Hope in Times of Turbulence,” Kukah said the country’s prolonged challenges have left citizens exhausted and uncertain about the future.
“Turbulence is Nigeria’s surname,” he said, stressing that instability has become a defining feature of the nation.
Addressing the worsening security situation, Kukah lamented the scale of vi%lence, describing Nigeria as a humanitarian emergency zone.
“After over 20 years and well over 20,000 corpses… the grim harvester still roams freely,” he said. “Our nation has become… a field hospital.”
He noted that trust in government institutions, especially the military, has eroded.
“Citizens feel that there is a misstep between will, intention and purpose,” he said, warning that frustration has pushed some citizens into collaborating with criminal groups.
Kukah also criticized political leaders for failing to deliver on promises or address poverty and unemployment.
“The Nigerian landscape is still riddled with unredeemed promissory notes,” he said. “Unemployment is smothering the dreams of young people.”
He condemned reliance on short-term relief measures.
“Distributing food… is an admission of failure to build sustainable systems to end hunger.”
Despite the grim tone, Kukah urged hope.
“We may be struck down, but we cannot be destr+yed,” he said.
“Let us not surrender to despair… we could become guilty bystanders.”
“The boat of our nation is thr+atening to sink… yet the Lord can command the storm to be still,” he said. “We pray, but we must also work hard.”
The message comes as Nigerians mark Easter amid hardship and calls for reform.
