“Jesus did not take life, he gave it”: Nigerian Leaders Challenged to Emulate Christ’s Servant-Leadership

Abuja, 25 November, 2025 / 2:27 AM

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has called on Nigerian leaders to embrace Christ-like governance free from corruption, injustice, and religious-based hatred for their nation to grow.

In his Sunday, November 23 homily on the Solemnity of  Christ the King, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama reflected on the life of Jesus Christ, who lived a humble life, saying, “As King, Jesus reigns from a Cross, not a throne, not even a palace, as is conventional.”

“Jesus did not take life. He gave it. He wore no crown of gold but one of thorns. He did not exploit people but spoke sympathetically of the widow’s mite, the prodigal son, the good Samaritan, and poor farmers. He was praised by the crowds but mocked by leaders,” Archbishop Kaigama said during the Holy Mass he celebrated at St. Luke’s Parish of Abuja.

The Nigerian Church leader said Christ’s kingdom must challenge Nigerians to reject hatred based on religion and tribe.

“As we Christians proclaim Him King, so we must learn from His servant-leadership style. Christ’s kingship was not built on domination but on self-giving love; not on violence but on sacrifice; not on fear but on forgiveness,” Archbishop Kaigama said in the Holy Mass in which the Parish marked

He said that “in a world where many leaders cling to power and privilege”, Jesus rules by laying down His life. His kingdom breaks down tribal walls, ethnic divisions, political bitterness, social injustices, and religious hatred.”

“In a nation often torn by tension, distrust, and economic distress, the feast of Christ the King calls us to build a society where truth is spoken without fear, justice is pursued without compromise, compassion is shown without discrimination, and leadership is exercised with integrity,” the Archbishop added.

He also condemned corruption, violence, greed, and impunity in Nigeria, urging Nigerians to allow Christ the King to reign in their hearts, homes, and even in their public life.

Addressing corruption, Archbishop Kaigama noted that transparency and accountability are still low in the West African nation, especially in recruitment.  

“When it comes to government admissions, recruitments, appointments, or the distribution of goodies, we are not guided by needs or merit but by which religion or tribe should dominate over the other. This happens even in our composition or leadership of political parties,” he said.

Archbishop Kaigama said that despite the many denominations in the country, God's Word seems to be yielding low results in influencing the lives of Nigerians.

The Catholic Church Leader who has been at the helm of Abuja since 2019 noted that idolatry has escalated in Nigeria, where people worship political leaders, powers, technology, money, pleasure, and even themselves instead of God.

Regarding the insecurity in Nigeria, Archbishop Kaigama dedicated a prayer to Christ the King for the sake of those held in to be released, including the recently abducted students from different schools.

He recounted several recent incidents of kidnappings and killings targeting Christians across Nigeria, including the abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Niger State.

“We pray that God will bring back safely to their families those kidnapped and grant eternal rest to the dead. May our security personnel be successful in their operation and in ensuring that the lives and properties of all are protected,” he implored.

Archbishop Kaigama expressed concern that since America announced its support to the people of Nigeria, especially those in war-torn areas, the insecurity has increased in the nation. He called on the USA to come and help them identify those funding and supplying weapons for war in the West African nation.

The Archbishop called on all parents in the West African Nation to focus on teaching their children peace, love, and unity, saying, “A place where God reigns is a place of peace, unity, participation, reverence in worship, charity toward the poor, and support for all, irrespective of tribe or religion.”

“Our children grow up with so much hatred, prejudice, and indoctrination that even when they become governors, ministers, or generals, these hardly leave their psyche,” the Archbishop added.

The Catholic Archbishop challenged the people of God in Nigeria to “live in truth and to be guided in all their actions by mercy and love.”

Invoking God’s guidance upon the country, the Archbishop prayed, “May God, the Father of mercy, the Creator and King of heaven and earth, reign in the hearts of all Nigerians, the homes of all Nigerians, in all our communities in Nigeria (not polarized by religion or tribe); our local governments, our states, our nation, and indeed, our world.”

Archbishop Kaigama called for renewed commitment to peace and national cohesion, urging leaders across religious, political, and traditional spheres to serve with humility and fairness.

“Let our nation experience peace and stability. May our leaders, whether religious, political, or traditional, not only demand service but be ready to stoop to serve all Nigerian citizens equally and not selectively, and may each Nigerian only allow the peace of God to prevail in our country, rather than the evil contrived by self or by other Nigerians against fellow Nigerians,” he said.