Bishops Support Local Farmers, Warn FG Against Food Imports
The Bishops support local farmers has urged the Federal Government to prioritise agriculture instead of relying on food importation. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) made this position clear at its 2026 First Plenary Assembly in Abuja.
The outgoing CBCN President, Lucius Ugorji, said Nigeria cannot achieve lasting food security by importing food.
Why Bishops Support Local Farmers
The bishops warned that food imports may reduce prices temporarily but damage local production. Many farmers take loans to invest in seeds, fertilisers, and equipment. When imports flood the market, farmers suffer losses.
Bishop Ugorji insisted that government must protect farmers through subsidies and security support.
“In most countries, governments subsidise farmers,” he said. “Lower production costs will lead to lower food prices.”
Food Security Requires Strong Policy
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria stressed that supporting farmers remains the only sustainable path to food security.
The bishops said Nigeria must:
-
Provide fertiliser and equipment subsidies
-
Improve farm security
-
Reduce dependence on imports
They warned that ignoring farmers will only deepen economic hardship.
Illegal Mining and Insecurity Worsen Crisis
The bishops also condemned illegal mining and oil bunkering. They said these crimes drain national revenue and fund terrorism.
They urged the government to deploy modern surveillance systems and strengthen intelligence operations. According to them, swift prosecution of criminals will restore public confidence.
Electoral Reforms and National Unity
The bishops demanded real-time transmission of election results using BVAS and IReV to prevent manipulation.
They also described the 2026 Lenten season coinciding with Ramadan as a moment for unity and national reflection.
“A better Nigeria is possible,” Ugorji concluded.
