When Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto sat down with ARISE News in Lagos on Oct. 1, 2025, he warned that Nigeria’s founding hopes have turned into nightmares because of a string of military coups and elite conspiracies. The 73‑year‑old cleric, born in Zaria in 1952, traced today’s 33.7% inflation and 53.4% youth unemployment back to the Jan. 15, 1966 coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and the cascade of coups that followed. He argued that, had Nigeria stayed on a civilian‑only track, its GDP per capita of $2,149 could have rivaled Singapore’s $72,794 and Malaysia’s $12,473.
Historical Backdrop: From Independence to a Cycle of Coups
On Oct. 1, 1960, Nigeria inherited a Westminster‑style parliamentary system from the United Kingdom, complete with a 450‑seat House of Representatives. That framework crumbled after the 1966 coup, which assassinated Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and set off the July counter‑coup that sparked ethnic violence killing roughly 30,000 Igbo. Between 1966 and 1993, the nation endured 13 successful military takeovers—a stark contrast to Singapore and Malaysia, which weathered the same era without a single coup.
The bishop highlighted that the 1976 Public Service Rules, meant to professionalise the civil service, were systematically ignored from 1975 onward. The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation now reports a 60% vacancy rate across federal ministries, a direct legacy of the disrupted recruitment process he called "the recruitment process… came crashing."
Kukah’s Interview Highlights
During the 45‑minute interview, Kukah said, "We have not been able to have the time, the honesty, the sincerity to come to the table…" He stressed that the military’s foray into politics was never justified, noting, "It is not about good soldiers or bad soldiers; the military never ought to have entered into politics." At timestamp 481 of the interview video (YouTube ID r93N_BCYEys), he asked, "Why are we not like Malaysia or Singapore? All those Asian countries never suffered a military coup."
Perhaps the most striking remark came at 3:12 PM UTC, when he likened coups to rape, saying, "There cannot be a good or a bad rape. If you pull a gun and take over power, you are no different from an armed robber." The comment sparked accusations of incitement, which he later clarified in a Christmas homily published Dec. 25, 2025, insisting he never called for a new coup.
He also referenced a forthcoming review of General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s 2007 book *Nigeria: Path to Reconciliation*, noting its insights on the 1999 transition back to civilian rule.
Economic Comparisons and the Cost of Instability
In a Sep. 21, 2025 op‑ed for Premium Times, Kukah juxtaposed Nigeria’s GDP per capita of $2,149 with Singapore’s $72,794—a 34‑fold gap—and Malaysia’s $12,473, a 5.8‑fold difference. He argued those numbers reflect not just lost investment but a moral erosion that “makes Nigeria lose its moral authority.” The bishop linked the 2025 inflation spike to the same institutional decay that followed the 1975–1976 civil service violations.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that, between 2020 and 2025, Nigeria’s real GDP growth averaged a meagre 1.8%, while Singapore and Malaysia posted 3.5% and 2.9% respectively. Youth unemployment, hovering above 50%, mirrors the stagnation that Kukah attributes to a “cascading elite hypocrisy” where politicians “come to the table with long knives.”
Reactions, Clarifications, and Wider Debate
Following the broadcast, Lagos‑based newspaper Daily Post (Oct. 3, 2025) quoted Kukah reiterating that “these countries wouldn't have seen Nigeria’s back if not for military interventions.” The piece sparked a debate on whether clergy should wade into political commentary. Some civil‑society groups praised the bishop for “breaking the silence,” while veterans’ associations accused him of “undermining the armed forces.”
In a separate Sep. 30, 2025 interview with The Hope Newspaper, Kukah warned that “Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency through military operations alone,” urging a shift toward soft‑power strategies against Boko Haram in the Northeast.
International observers, including the African Union’s Democracy and Governance Division, cited Kukah’s remarks in a briefing, noting that “the moral framing of coups as a societal disease resonates with broader concerns about governance across the continent.”
Broader Implications and the Road Ahead
The bishop’s critique arrives at a pivotal moment: Nigeria is approaching its 65th independence anniversary, yet its socioeconomic indicators lag far behind peers. By tying the past to present hardships, Kukah hopes to catalyse a national conversation about “re‑building the moral and institutional fabric” before the next election cycle in 2027.
Experts like Professor Aisha Bello of the University of Lagos argue that “addressing the lingering effects of military rule requires constitutional reforms, merit‑based civil service recruitment, and a decisive break from patronage politics.” Meanwhile, former diplomats suggest that “regional bodies and development partners must condition aid on measurable governance improvements,” echoing the bishop’s call for “global institutions to assist Nigeria’s democratic rebuilding.”
All eyes are now on whether Nigeria’s political class will heed these warnings or continue to let history repeat itself. As Kukah put it, “The sense of who we are as a nation has literally become invisible.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific coups does Bishop Kukah blame for Nigeria’s current problems?
Kukah points to the Jan. 15, 1966 coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, the Jul. 1966 counter‑coup, and the series of 13 successful coups up to 1993. He argues these events dismantled civilian institutions and set a precedent for military interference that still haunts governance.
How does Nigeria’s economy compare to Singapore and Malaysia, according to the bishop?
Kukah highlighted World Bank 2025 figures: Nigeria’s GDP per capita stands at $2,149, versus Singapore’s $72,794 and Malaysia’s $12,473. He attributes the gap to lost investment, weakened institutions, and the lingering impact of military rule.
Did Bishop Kukah call for a new coup in his interview?
No. In a Christmas homily on Dec. 25, 2025, Kukah clarified that his remarks were meant to critique past coups, not to incite new ones. He stressed that any suggestion he advocated for a coup was a misinterpretation by the media.
What reforms does Kukah suggest to break the cycle of elite conspiracy?
He urges merit‑based recruitment for civil service positions, transparent budgeting, and a constitutional amendment that permanently bars the military from political office. He also calls for international support to monitor and fund these reforms.
How have Nigeria’s recent economic indicators reflected the bishop’s concerns?
The National Bureau of Statistics reported a 33.7% inflation rate in Q3 2025 and a 53.4% youth unemployment rate, both among the highest in West Africa. These figures align with Kukah’s argument that institutional decay hampers growth and job creation.
Jenisha Patel
October 21, 2025 AT 18:32While appreciating the bishop’s earnest concerns, it is essential to acknowledge the multifaceted nature of Nigeria’s economic challenges; the legacy of military rule undeniably contributed to institutional fragility, yet contemporary fiscal policy, global commodity prices, and demographic pressures also play pivotal roles. Moreover, a balanced discourse should consider both historical accountability and forward‑looking reforms, ensuring that blame does not eclipse actionable solutions.