“We must change”: Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Calls for Nationwide Repentance on Independence Anniversary

Abuja, 02 October, 2025 / 6:50 PM

As Nigeria marked its 65th independence anniversary on October 1, the Catholic Bishop of the country’s Catholic Diocese of Bauchi called on citizens in the West African nation to seek the face of God sincerely for divine intervention.

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the second convocation ceremony of the Institute of Consecrated Life in Africa (InCLA), Bishop Hilary Nanman Dachelem urged citizens and leaders alike to embrace repentance as the foundation for national renewal. 

“All of us need repentance. I need to repent. Others need to repent. The President needs to repent,” Bishop Dachelem told ACI Africa on Wednesday, October 1.

He said that the President, just like other leaders, can not say that he cannot repent. “He has seen other leaders. Some died on the throne. So he should be careful. All of us need to be careful.”

The Catholic Bishop said Nigeria’s independence should not only be a celebration but a reminder of the responsibility of every Nigerian to contribute to national development.

“You cannot be a judge and be the accused at the same time. I believe all of us must repent if we want a better 65th anniversary. That is the only way forward,” he said.

Bishop Dachelem urged both leaders and citizens to embrace a change of heart if the nation must move forward socio-politically. “If we want a better country, a greater country, we all have to change,” he said.

The Nigerian Catholic Church leader stated that the country’s problems are not limited to governance but extend to every aspect of society. 

“If you come into the country, you will see something is wrong. From insecurity, to economic difficulties, and corruption, but we know that almost all of us are involved. We all have to make a noise. Everybody has to change their heart. We have to change our mentality,” he said.

Bishop Dachelem said Nigerians are people of prayer, but he cautioned that prayers must be matched with right actions. 

“People pray, I do not think that people don’t pray. But we have to pray correctly. Somebody cannot pray, and the next moment goes into an act he is not supposed to. Those of us who know we are not doing the right thing must change. Leadership must change, and followership must change,” he said.

The Nigerian member of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CMF/Claretians) encouraged Nigerians who remain sincere in their prayers to continue, noting that God listens to honest supplications.

“In Nigeria, sincere people are praying. I urge them to continue to pray. And then those of us who know we are not doing the right thing, please let us change,” he emphasized.

The Bishop warned against a culture of blame and selfishness, pointing out that the nation could achieve more if every citizen contributed meaningfully. 

“Look at Peter, one person with his brain, look at what he has done. That means if all of us come together, we will achieve a lot. Let us stop looking for people’s wives and focus on God. Everything else will come our way,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader explained that Nigeria’s growth would come when citizens united around shared values and avoided distractions.

“All the things you see happening in other countries can happen here. We have the people, we have the brains, we only need sincerity and cooperation,” he said.

Earlier in a national address marking Nigeria’s 65th independence, President Tinubu admitted that his administration inherited “a near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignment.”

He said his government had to choose between “continuing business as usual and watching the nation drift” or “embarking on a courageous, fundamental reform path.”