The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has called on Nigerians to prioritise national unity and collective sacrifice, warning against political actions and other developments that could threaten the country’s fragile unity.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the church’s 15th General Synod, held at Our Saviour’s Church, Ikenne, in the Diocese of Remo, Ogun State, from September 14 to 18.
The communiqué, which was made available to journalists in Abuja, was signed by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba; the Dean, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah; and the General Secretary, Ven. Festus Opara.
The Synod, which had as its theme, “The Priesthood of All Believers: Equipping God’s People for the Work of Ministry,” was presided over by Ndukuba.
A total of 142 bishops, 199 clergy members and 145 members of the laity attended the gathering.
The Synod reaffirmed the responsibility of every Christian to participate actively in the mission of Christ, calling for greater involvement of church members in evangelism, volunteer work and nation building rather than leaving ministry solely to the clergy.
On the state of the nation, the church expressed concern over the continued insecurity across the country, particularly the persistence of banditry, kidnapping and killings.
While acknowledging the Federal Government’s recent efforts, including the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and the deployment of forest guards, the Synod called for stronger intelligence gathering and the reclamation of ungoverned spaces.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the church urged politicians to put the unity and interests of the country above partisan considerations.
It also called on political actors to avoid hate speech, vote-buying and the spread of misinformation during the election period.
The Synod urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to maintain neutrality and transparency in the conduct of elections, while asking the judiciary to remain independent when handling electoral matters.
The church also expressed concerns about developments in the health, education and economic sectors.
It called for stronger public healthcare institutions, increased investment in education and measures to stabilise fuel prices in order to ease pressure on households and improve purchasing power.
On agriculture and food security, the Synod warned of the possibility of worsening hunger, particularly in the North-East and North-Central regions, by the end of 2026.
It therefore called for improved security for farmers, access to single-digit interest loans and transparent distribution of agricultural inputs and subsidies.
The church also condemned repeated reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa and urged both countries to strengthen diplomatic engagement to address the issue.
At the same time, it encouraged Nigerians living abroad to respect the laws and immigration regulations of their host countries.
Other resolutions of the Synod included a call for stronger action against drug abuse, with the church suggesting consideration of mandatory drug testing for public office holders.
It also advocated a reduction in the cost of governance through full implementation of the Oronsaye Report and urged responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence.
On national unity, the Synod stressed the importance of respecting Nigeria’s secular character.
It expressed concern over the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and reports alleging that some Christian youths had been denied admission to certain federal universities in northern Nigeria on religious grounds, warning that such developments could further strain national cohesion.
The Synod reaffirmed the Church of Nigeria’s commitment to serving as a witness for Christ and contributing to national transformation.
It urged Nigerians to uphold justice, peace, accountability and responsible citizenship, saying these values remained important to building a more prosperous and united country.
