Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the bold steps being taken by his administration to reform the Nigerian economy and the infrastructural development across the country.

He, however, lamented that the suffering of the common man has continued unabated, with hunger, poverty, poor healthcare delivery, and insecurity across the country.

Ndukuba said that the impact of global trade tensions, including Trump’s tariffs, has put Nigeria’s non-oil export worth about N3.23 billion at risk and called on the Federal Government to review Nigeria’s trade policies in line with the current global trade realities, engaging with countries whose trade are favorable to us.

Speaking at the Third Session of the 12th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja, Ndukuba noted that Nigeria is facing daunting challenges that are impacting its growth and development, adding that the corruption which is endemic in our country continues to impoverish the nation and most palliatives released do not get to the ordinary Nigerians.

He lamented that the insurgency in the Northeast and banditry in other parts of the country have continued to disrupt economic activities, particularly in the agricultural and mining sectors, resulting in decreased productivity, loss of revenue, and increased poverty.

Ndukuba stated that the recent attacks in communities across the country suggest there is a resurgence and regrouping of insurgency, stressing that the porous boundaries that allow foreigners from the Sahel region to come into the country unchecked, the psycho-social bitterness, and cycle of retaliation among the herders and indigenous farming communities contribute to insecurity in Nigeria.

He stressed the need to expose the sponsors of anarchy in Nigeria as enemies of the nation and involve them in dialogue, adding that effective policing and protection of lives and property in communities must be prioritized.

The Primate observed that improvement in security will guarantee economic revival and growth. Continual equipping of the Nigerian Armed Forces is vital to winning this war.

He said, “The unity and peace of Nigeria is for the good of all citizens and peoples. The beneficiaries of insecurity who see it as a means of making themselves relevant in the political matters of the day; the sponsors and suppliers of weapons and ammunitions enrich themselves with such acts and many other factors.”

Ndukuba urged the Federal Government to address the high-interest rate regime in the economy, stressing that it is inimical to productivity and growth.

He said, “While we note and commend the relative stability in the exchange rate, we urge that both the monetary and fiscal authorities continue to apply the necessary interventions that will strengthen the value of the Naira. The current exchange rate of N1600/$ is unfavorable for growth and impoverishes Nigerians.

“Granted that the MPR (Monetary Policy Rate), which is the CBN’s benchmark rate, was retained at 27.5% at the last MPC meeting in continuation of its efforts to rein in inflation and stabilize the national currency, it remains evident that such high interest rate increases borrowing costs for businesses and individuals, thereby limiting economic growth.”