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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to ensure that its shift from economic reforms to prosperity translates into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
In a statement marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, congratulated Nigerians and said the success of government policies should be measured by their impact on ordinary families.
Okoh said economic progress could not be determined by statistics alone, stressing that Nigerians must be able to afford food, access decent jobs and live in safe communities.
“The true test of progress is not in statistics alone. It is whether families can afford food, young people can find decent work, communities can live in safety and every child has a fair opportunity to build a future,” he said.
The CAN president urged the government to prioritise reductions in the cost of food, transportation and energy, noting that citizens who had endured years of economic hardship deserved meaningful relief.
He also called for stronger social protection programmes for vulnerable Nigerians, including improved access to education, healthcare and affordable credit.
According to him, such interventions must be transparently administered and protected from diversion to ensure that intended beneficiaries receive the support.
“Prosperity that does not reach the ordinary Nigerian home remains incomplete,” Okoh said.
He also stressed the need for improved security, saying genuine prosperity would remain difficult to achieve if citizens could not farm, trade, travel or sleep peacefully because of fear.
“We urge sustained action to protect lives, secure communities and restore confidence across the country,” he said.
Turning to the 2027 general elections, Okoh cautioned political actors against portraying any candidate as a messianic figure capable of solving all of Nigeria’s problems.
He said Christians remained free to support or criticise candidates of their choice, but warned against using the name of Jesus Christ as a weapon in partisan political contests.
Okoh reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to remaining a non-partisan moral voice, saying the association would continue to commend what is right while holding leaders accountable to the principles of justice, accountability and compassion.
