In a powerful Easter message delivered Sunday, Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto implored President Bola Tinubu to relieve Nigerians from the crushing burden of economic hardship and widespread insecurity plaguing the nation.
Speaking during Easter celebrations, the outspoken cleric drew a poignant parallel between the crucifixion commemorated during the holy season and the suffering experienced by ordinary Nigerians grappling with food insecurity, violence, and economic instability.
“Mr. President, hunger, sickness and desolation stalk the land,” Kukah declared, addressing Tinubu directly in his message. While acknowledging support for the controversial removal of fuel subsidies as “the right decision,” the Archbishop highlighted the severe consequences these policies have had on everyday citizens.
The timing of Kukah’s plea carries particular significance, coming during Easter—Christianity’s most sacred celebration that marks Christ’s resurrection after his crucifixion. By framing his appeal as “bring us down from this painful cross of hunger,” the Archbishop leveraged powerful religious symbolism to emphasize the urgency of Nigeria’s current crisis.
Kukah pointed to the paradox of Nigeria’s increasing wealth reserves amid widespread suffering: “We note that the country now has a huge volume of resources in its domestic reserves,” he observed, suggesting that despite improved financial indicators, these benefits have not translated to relief for ordinary citizens.
Among the Archbishop’s most pressing concerns was the deteriorating security situation that has transformed agriculture—once the backbone of Nigeria’s economy—into a dangerous profession. For over ten years now, farming has become one of the most hazardous pre-occupations in our country,” he noted, highlighting how violence has disrupted food production and exacerbated hunger.
The Archbishop sharply criticized the government’s reliance on palliatives as a solution to economic hardship, arguing that such temporary measures undermine citizens’ dignity. Instead, he advocated for a fundamental shift in approach, calling on the administration to “make food security a fundamental human right to all citizens.
Kukah’s Easter message painted a sobering picture of Nigeria’s security landscape, describing how violence has metastasized throughout society. He traced the origins of the current crisis to what he characterized as a deliberate political strategy, claiming that “bandits, who were brought into the country as a strategy for upstaging the government of the day and to gain power, have become embedded in every sphere of the lives of Nigerians.
The result, according to Kukah, has been devastating: “Today we have watched as the cancer of insecurity and violence have metastasized. Now, this cancer threatens the very foundation of our common humanity.” He described a nation where terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers operate with apparent impunity, cutting lives short and subjecting victims to “the most inhuman conditions.
Beyond his critique of economic policies, Kukah made an impassioned plea for protection, calling on the government to shield citizens from “marauders, murderers, savages and ravenous predators who threaten to overrun our nation.” His choice of language reflected the severity of Nigeria’s security challenges and the failure of authorities to adequately address them.
The Archbishop’s message comes at a critical juncture for the Tinubu administration, which has faced mounting criticism over its handling of Nigeria’s economic reforms. Since taking office, President Tinubu has implemented several controversial policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and floating of the naira, which his government argues are necessary for long-term economic stability despite their short-term pain.
These reforms have contributed to skyrocketing inflation, with food prices in particular reaching levels that have pushed many households to the brink. Recent protests across several Nigerian cities have highlighted growing public dissatisfaction with the economic situation and the government’s response.
Kukah’s Easter message reflects broader concerns within Nigerian civil society about the direction of the country under Tinubu’s leadership. While the Archbishop acknowledged the theoretical merit of certain economic reforms, his focus remained on their human cost and the government’s responsibility to mitigate suffering.
Religious leaders like Kukah have historically played significant roles in Nigerian politics as moral authorities willing to speak truth to power. His Easter message continues this tradition, using his platform to articulate the grievances of ordinary Nigerians who lack direct access to corridors of power.
As Nigeria navigates this period of economic transformation and security challenges, Kukah’s call serves as a reminder that policy decisions must ultimately be judged by their impact on human dignity and wellbeing. His plea for Nigerians to be brought down from “the painful cross of hunger” stands as both a critique of current conditions and a challenge to leadership to fulfill its most fundamental obligation: protecting the welfare of its citizens.
Whether President Tinubu will heed this Easter message remains to be seen, but Kukah’s words have undoubtedly captured the sentiment of many Nigerians hoping for relief from their current struggles.
