By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, has blamed Nigeria’s persistent leadership crisis on entrenched corruption rather than the government of the day, declaring ahead of the 2027 general elections that he expects ‘nothing wonderful’ from the current administration.
With preparations for the next general elections gradually gathering momentum, Nwokolo said Nigerians should not assume that another change of government would automatically produce better leadership.
According to him, the country’s recurring problems stem from corruption, nepotism and a leadership culture that has endured across successive administrations.
Nwokolo made the remarks during an interview where he also spoke on insecurity, state police, Christian marriage, infant baptism and the impact of his 15 years as bishop.
“I don’t think I have any problem with the present government because I am not expecting any wonderful thing to happen. It is still the other governments that deteriorated something, handing over to another one that will deteriorate it further,” Nwokolo said.
He said Nigeria’s challenge goes far beyond any particular administration, arguing that corruption has become deeply woven into the country’s political life.
“The major problem may not be the government that is in power. We have an endemic problem of corruption that has eaten up the society. Anybody you elect is still corrupt,” he said.
The Anglican bishop urged Nigerians to pray for genuine national renewal, saying the country needs a complete change in values and orientation if it is to overcome its longstanding challenges.
“We need an entire overhaul of our national system to change our psyche for national identity. We are still praying because it is only God’s intervention that will rescue our nation until this total overhaul,” he added.
On the debate over state police, Nwokolo said decentralising policing could help tackle insecurity but warned that the system could easily be misused if corruption is not first addressed.
The bishop said: “Ordinarily, state police would be the solution to insecurity. But if corruption is still prevalent… the state government might use the state police to victimize their enemies. The innocent will be victimized.”
Reflecting on his 15 years as Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger, Nwokolo said the church had deliberately pursued a holistic ministry by combining evangelism with investments in education, healthcare and community development.
“The whole picture about spirituality and structural development became obvious. The Lord is seeking for us to do a holistic ministry, preaching the gospel and also getting involved in things that will affect lives, transform the society and make impact in the lives of people,” he said.
He added that the diocese has expanded its work through new churches, mission schools, healthcare institutions, a polytechnic and the University on the Niger.
According to him, the university, licensed in 2023 after more than five years of planning, makes Chinese, French and Igbo compulsory courses while placing strong emphasis on discipline, sound character and academic excellence.
“We emphasize morality and sound character, and academics with discipline. We have zero tolerance to exam malpractice,” he said.
Nwokolo also said ENO Mission Hospital has become financially self-reliant following years of reforms and investment.
“I’ve forgotten when last I paid the salary of the doctors. It’s been more than 10 years. Now the hospital is self-reliant,” he said.
Responding to concerns that the church’s development projects could place financial pressure on members, he said the diocese relies largely on voluntary giving rather than compulsory levies.
“We are not building structure to make name. We are doing things that will promote the kingdom of God. We have not shared money to the churches. It is those who are led that give,” he said.
Speaking on Christian marriage, Nwokolo reaffirmed his position that traditional marriage alone does not amount to Christian marriage under Anglican doctrine.
“Marriage is a covenant. Any marriage for a Christian that is not held in the presence of God and His people, as far as the person is a Christian, is not Christian marriage and it is not acceptable,” he said.
On infant baptism, the bishop defended the Anglican practice, saying salvation is God’s gift and not limited by age.
“Salvation is a gift of God. God can give gifts to children, He can give to adults. We don’t interfere with what God can do,” he said.
Asked what legacy he hopes to leave behind, Nwokolo said he wants to see a church that raises committed Christians, prepares young people for leadership and continues to shape society through Christian values.
“We are looking for and praying that, we have more dedicated Christians, more equipped, empowered youths, more young people prepared for leadership, and a society where Jesus reigns, and a church that impacts life and transforms the environment,” he said.
