By Samuel Solomon
The Nigerian Baptist Convention has announced the commencement of its 113th Annual Session in Abuja, while raising concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, and governance challenges in the country.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the Convention President, Israel Akanji, he spoke on multiple national issues, where he commended the administration of Bola Tinubu for economic reforms but called for stronger implementation and monitoring.
He said, “We begin by thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s economic reform which is intended to revive our nation in such a way that every citizen will be a beneficiary.”
The cleric, however, expressed concern over worsening insecurity across the country, describing the situation as unbearable.
He said, “The menace of insecurity in the country, occasioned by the seemingly endless, senseless, brutal, torturous and unprovoked killings have become totally unbearable for us in Nigeria.”
Akanji urged the Federal Government to take decisive action, adding, “Yet, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, confront and overcome the problem of insecurity in the nation decisively.”
He also highlighted the impact of unemployment and migration, warning against the increasing Japa syndrome.
According to him, many Nigerian youths have been risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea in order to get to Europe so many of them have lost their lives while doing so.
On infrastructure, Rev. Akanji called for improved investment in roads, railways, and the aviation sector, noting that high travel costs were discouraging Nigerians.
Akanji said, “It has been argued that the cost of
travelling by air in Nigeria seems to be the highest in the world.”
He further called for urgent reforms in the education sector. He said, “We call on all tiers of government to declare a state of emergency on the education sector with a view to ensuring an overhaul and restorring normalcy.”
On power supply, he urged the government to convene stakeholders to find lasting solutions.
He added, “We still call on our President to call a National Conference of all stake holders with a view to having a permanent solution to the problem of power in Nigeria.”
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Rev. Akanji cautioned political actors against violence and malpractice.
He said, “it’s imperative to urge our politicians to play the game according to the rules; to shun all forms of violence and election malpractices.”
He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure credible polls, stating, “we implore INEC to maintain neutrality and be determined to conduct free, fair and credible polls.”
The Convention extended condolences to victims of violence across several states and called for government support for affected communities.
The convention, themed Entering into Newness through the Fruit and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, is expected to focus on spiritual renewal and national transformation and is slated to hold from April 18 to 23, 2026, at the Baptist International Convention Centre Kubwa.
The Nigerian Baptist Convention traces its roots to 1850 through American missionary Thomas Jefferson Bowen, while it formally became a national body in 1914.
Over the years, it has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s education and health sectors, including the establishment of Baptist Academy and Bowen University, as well as several hospitals across the country.
