The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the benefits of economic reforms translate into tangible improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call in an Independence Day statement issued on Thursday.
Okoh said prosperity should be measured not only by economic statistics but also by the ability of citizens to afford food, secure decent jobs, access healthcare and live in safe communities.
He congratulated Nigerians on the anniversary and urged the government to prioritise policies that would ease the economic hardship facing households.
The CAN president welcomed what he described as the transition from an era of economic reforms to one of prosperity, stressing that the success of such a transition would depend on its impact on ordinary Nigerians.
“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.
He called on the government to make the reduction of food, transportation and energy costs a measurable priority, noting that Nigerians who had endured years of economic pressure deserved meaningful relief in their daily lives.
Okoh also urged the government to strengthen social protection programmes, particularly those targeting vulnerable households, while expanding access to education, healthcare and affordable credit.
He emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in the administration of social intervention programmes, warning that efforts to support vulnerable citizens must be protected from diversion.
“Prosperity that does not reach the ordinary Nigerian home remains incomplete,” he stated.
On security, the CAN president said sustainable economic development would remain difficult to achieve without adequate protection of lives and property.
He urged the government to intensify efforts to secure communities and restore public confidence, noting that citizens could not farm, trade, travel or sleep peacefully where insecurity persisted.
“As the 2027 political season approaches, CAN again reminds all political actors that no politician is the Messiah,” Okoh said.
He stressed that Christians were free to support or criticise any political candidate but cautioned against the use of the name of Jesus Christ in partisan rivalries or as a political weapon.
Reaffirming the association’s non-partisan position, Okoh said CAN would continue to serve as a moral voice by commending good governance, speaking out against citizens’ suffering and holding leaders accountable to the principles of justice, accountability and compassion.
He called for renewed commitment to national unity, responsible leadership and policies that would improve the welfare of Nigerians, expressing optimism about the country’s future.
