President Bola Tinubu has encouraged state governors to follow his example by returning mission schools to the religious organizations that originally established them.
Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Friday, March 14, Tinubu emphasized that schools fall under the jurisdiction of state governments, not the Federal Government.
“I have set a good example as the governor of Lagos State. I returned all the mission schools,” the president stated, according to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
For decades, religious leaders have voiced concerns over the government’s takeover of mission schools, arguing that it led to a decline in educational standards. Despite ongoing appeals for the schools’ return, progress has been slow. Many clerics believe that government intervention has contributed to the deterioration of education in Nigeria.
During the meeting, Tinubu praised the Catholic Church for its dedication to education and healthcare. He also highlighted his administration’s efforts to make education more accessible, including the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which aims to prevent students from dropping out due to financial constraints. He further assured the bishops that he would explore ways to support students in private institutions not covered by the loan scheme.
Acknowledging the economic and security challenges facing Nigerians, the president reiterated his commitment to reforms that would bring relief. He defended the removal of fuel subsidies, calling it a necessary decision to secure the country’s future.
“Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was difficult, but it was a choice Nigeria had to make. We were spending the future of unborn generations. Poverty has no religious identity; it affects everyone, and we must fight it together,” he said.
On national security, Tinubu assured the bishops that security agencies were making progress in tackling insecurity, stressing that all Nigerians—regardless of religion—were feeling the effects of these efforts.
“This insecurity affects everyone, Christians and Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I will not be a bigot. My wife is a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church, but we must think of our country first. Nigeria must develop beyond religious divisions,” he stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining an open-door policy, welcoming dialogue with religious leaders.
Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, CBCN president and leader of the 20-member delegation, acknowledged the government’s reform initiatives and the security agencies’ efforts. However, he urged the administration to intensify measures that would restore hope and confidence among Nigerians.
The clerics also called for a well-defined approach to religion as a tool for moral integrity and national unity while ensuring that citizens’ fundamental rights remain protected.
