The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has said Nigeria possesses the resources and capacity to take care of itself and even assist neighbouring countries, stressing that the country’s development challenges should not be laid at the feet of international actors or religious leaders like the Pope.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, Kukah reflected on his recent visit to Rome for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV and shared insights on the global moral authority of the papacy, the relevance of religious institutions, and the challenges of leadership in Nigeria and Africa.

While commenting on the expectations some may have for global figures like the Pope to intervene directly in Africa’s development, Kukah said: “Look, I’m a very proud Nigerian. Nigeria is not Sudan; we’re not Gaza, Nigeria is not Syria, Nigeria is not Libya, Nigeria is not just any country, we are a heck of a country with massive resources that can take care of us and take care of our neighbours.”

He maintained that while the Pope and other religious leaders can offer moral guidance, the responsibility for addressing corruption and mismanagement lies squarely with African leaders themselves.

“So, for me, it’s not the job of a Pope to decide how the corrupt Nigerian state addresses the problems of how it manages its resources, it’s not the business of the Pope,” Kukah stated on the Channels TV programme.

Recalling his experience at the papal inauguration, Kukah pointed out the symbolism and importance of such global gatherings, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s presence marked the first time a Nigerian President attended a papal inauguration.

“It was something to celebrate and for us in Nigeria, at least at the inauguration of a Pope, it is the first time that a Nigerian President will be there,” he said, also pointing out the personal connection between Pope Leo XIV and Tinubu, both of whom have ties to Chicago.

Kukah stressed that the Catholic Church has consistently provided moral leadership globally, but Africa’s problems must be solved internally. Reflecting on his attendance at the Pope’s visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023, he said the Holy Father’s call then was for the international community to “take its hands off Africa.”

Nevertheless, Kukah insisted that “it is not the fault of the Pope, and it’s not the Pope’s business to decide why Nigeria and other leaders in Africa have turned politics into a criminal enterprise.”

He reiterated that moral support should not be mistaken for political or economic direction, underscoring that governance responsibility lies with African leaders and citizens.