By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, has warned that corruption, drug trafficking and drug addiction have become the most serious threats to Nigeria’s development and population growth since independence.
Ndukuba delivered the warning in his presidential address at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church, held at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, where he described corruption as a deeply entrenched problem that has eroded national values and weakened institutions.
According to the Primate, corruption now permeates every level of society, from inflated public budgets to everyday interactions among citizens.
He said the normalisation of graft has distorted opportunities, discouraged productivity and plunged millions into poverty.
He also turned the searchlight inward, criticising the Church for what he described as creeping simony and the monetisation of religious services.
Ndukuba lamented the decline of volunteerism and communal sacrifice within congregations, urging clergy and church leaders to exemplify integrity before demanding accountability from political leaders.
The Primate linked corruption to rising youth unemployment, alleging that contracts meant for local entrepreneurs are often diverted by political actors and intermediaries, thereby stifling enterprise and deepening economic hardship.
On organised crime, Ndukuba warned that Nigeria risks evolving from a mere transit route into a major centre for drug production and trafficking.
He described drug consumption and addiction as a growing epidemic, noting that substance abuse now cuts across social class, age and religious affiliation.
“Drug addiction attacks mental health, the economy and family wellbeing,” he said, adding that its spread has contributed to insecurity, violent crime and the breakdown of family structures.
He called on the Church to sustain its campaign against drug trafficking and abuse in society.
Ndukuba further expressed concern over the rise of cultism, youth gangs and ritual crimes, warning that such activities have infiltrated universities and communities, threatening social cohesion and moral order.
He described these trends as destructive social forces that must be confronted through moral renewal and effective governance.
Observers at the meeting said the address reflects growing anxiety among religious leaders about the link between corruption, organised crime and insecurity, and their combined impact on Nigeria’s fragile economic and social stability.
For many delegates, the Primate’s message was seen not merely as a sermon, but as a national call to conscience—urging citizens, leaders and the Church to confront what he described as forces crippling Nigeria’s progress.
