Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, has revealed that Christian leaders and President Bola Tinubu expressed differing views on the state of Nigeria’s economy during a recent meeting.
Speaking in an interview aired on Arise Television on August 1, 2026, Onaiyekan said the Christian delegation raised concerns about the worsening economic conditions facing low-income Nigerians, arguing that the hardship was disproportionately affecting ordinary citizens. According to him, President Tinubu maintained that the economy was improving and disagreed with their assessment.
“We told him our economy is hurting the poor. He assured us that the economy is thriving. In a more pragmatic sense, he made it crystal clear that he disagreed with us. We were not surprised. We would have been surprised if he had agreed with us. We have fulfilled our obligation,” Onaiyekan said.
He explained that the meeting was convened to present the church’s concerns about the impact of the country’s economic challenges on Nigerians. Despite their differing views, Onaiyekan said the engagement provided an opportunity for the Christian leaders to speak candidly with the president about issues affecting the public.
