Hunger, Inflation Driving Insecurity in Nigeria, Methodist Prelate Warns Tinubu

The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, has issued a strong warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity is being intensified by deepening hunger and inflation. 

He urged the federal government to take immediate and honest steps to address the economic hardship facing millions of Nigerians.

Dr. Aba delivered this message during the 43rd Council of Bishops of the Methodist Church Nigeria, held at the Methodist Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Abuja. The event was formally declared open by President Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

“All Nigerians will agree that we face three major challenges: hunger, inflation, and insecurity,” the Prelate said. “I believe insecurity is the root cause of the other two, and by addressing it, we can pave the way for normalcy and progress.”

He continued: “As a Church, we urge those in positions of authority to confront these anomalies with the honesty and seriousness they demand. Governments at all levels must take decisive action to tackle these issues, for no nation can prosper under the weight of such challenges.”

His position echoes similar sentiments expressed just two weeks earlier by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who both acknowledged the link between Nigeria’s economic struggles and rising insecurity.

Read also: Obi: Embracing ADC Was a Tough but Necessary Step for Nigeria’s Future

In response, President Tinubu, through SGF Akume, commended the Methodist Church for its unwavering role in the development of the country. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with faith-based institutions to address the nation’s challenges.

“The partnership between church and state is essential for the well-being of our citizens, and we remain committed to strengthening this collaboration for the greater good,” Tinubu stated.

He also praised the Methodist Church’s long-standing legacy in education, healthcare, and moral leadership. Highlighting the Church’s role in shaping prominent Nigerian figures such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Louis Ojukwu, Tinubu said: “The history of our nation’s development cannot be told without acknowledging the pivotal role played by the Methodist Church Nigeria.”

Referencing the theme of the 43rd Council of Bishops—“He Will Rise Again”—Tinubu said it resonates with his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda. “After years of grappling with unsustainable subsidies, Nigeria is, indeed, rising again,” he affirmed.

Also speaking at the event, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, praised the Methodist Church’s enduring commitment to unity, justice, and national development.

“In an era marked by uncertainty, insecurity, and socio-political turbulence, your consistent efforts in building bridges across denominational divides, fostering harmony among believers, and providing hope to the weary are acts of great courage and profound obedience to the call of Christ,” he said.

Okoh urged the Church’s leadership to continue in their mission with “integrity, spiritual depth, and unwavering commitment,” especially in their impactful work in education, healthcare, and moral guidance.

The Council of Bishops is an annual event dedicated to the spiritual renewal of the Church’s leadership and to the strategic advancement of the Methodist Church’s apostolic mission. This year’s gathering, the 43rd of its kind, drew participation from bishops and Christian leaders across the nation.