CAN Urges FG to Cut Food, Transport and Energy Costs

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise lower food, transportation and energy costs as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

The association also called for stronger social protection and improved security, saying the benefits of economic reforms should translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians.

CAN made the call in an Independence Day statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

The association said it welcomed the government's transition from a period of economic reforms to what President Bola Tinubu has described as an “era of prosperity”, but stressed that the success of the reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on ordinary Nigerians.

“We welcome the shift from an era of economic reforms to an era of prosperity. But the true test of progress is not in statistics alone. It is whether families can afford food, young people can find decent work, communities can live in safety and every child has a fair opportunity to build a future,” CAN said.

CAN urged the government to make reducing the cost of food, transportation and energy a measurable priority.

The association said Nigerians who had endured years of economic pressure deserved to begin experiencing meaningful relief in their daily lives.

It also called for stronger social protection for vulnerable Nigerians, including improved support for education, healthcare and access to affordable credit.

CAN said such interventions should be transparently administered and protected from diversion to ensure that assistance reaches its intended beneficiaries.

“Prosperity that does not reach the ordinary Nigerian home remains incomplete,” the association said.

On security, CAN said economic prosperity would remain difficult to achieve where citizens could not farm, trade, travel or sleep peacefully because of insecurity.

It therefore urged the government to sustain efforts to protect lives, secure communities and restore public confidence across the country.

The association's call came after President Tinubu, in his Independence Day address, said his administration's next priority was to bring down the cost of living, including through measures aimed at reducing the cost of producing and transporting goods.

With the 2027 political season approaching, CAN also cautioned political actors against using religion for partisan purposes.

“CAN again reminds all political actors that no politician is the Messiah,” the association said, adding that Christians were free to support or criticise any candidate.

The association warned against bringing the name of Jesus Christ into partisan rivalry or using the Christian faith as a political weapon.

CAN reaffirmed its commitment to remaining a non-partisan moral voice, saying it would continue to commend what is right, speak when citizens are hurting and hold leaders to the principles of justice, accountability and compassion.