Bishop Kukah Earns National Award

By CSN Media 

In a momentous ceremony marking the 2025 Democracy Day celebration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred the prestigious national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) upon the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah.

The esteemed award, given in recognition of his outstanding contributions to nation-building, advocacy for justice and peace, and commitment to fostering dialogue across religious and ethnic lines, was bestowed upon Bishop Kukah during the joint session of the National Assembly on June 12, 2025.

According to a statement by the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, signed by its Communications Director, Rev. Fr. Pascal Salifu, Bishop Kukah’s dedication to serving both the Church and the nation with “rare integrity and prophetic insight” has earned him this distinguished honor. The Diocese described Bishop Kukah as a “moral compass in Nigeria’s public life,” who has consistently brought the values of the Gospel to bear in the public square “with clarity, courage, and charity.”

The faithful of Christ in the Sokoto Diocese expressed joy and congratulated their Chief Shepherd, stating, “We pray that Almighty God will continue to bless, protect, and strengthen Bishop Kukah in his pastoral ministry and in his tireless efforts toward a more just, peaceful, and united Nigeria.”

The Nigerian National Honours were instituted under the National Honours Act No. 5 of 1964 to be conferred annually upon Nigerians and friends of Nigeria “to appreciate their loyalty and patriotism to the country, to reward the selfless service the individuals have rendered, and to further encourage the people recognized to do more excellent work and meritorious service for the nation.” The awards are typically conferred by the Federal Government of Nigeria following a rigorous screening by the National Awards Committee and a thorough security background check by the State Security Service.

Besides Bishop Kukah, other members of the higher clerical rank of the Catholic Church in Nigeria who have received similar honors in the past include the late Dominic Cardinal Ekandem, the late Archbishop Gabriel Ganaka, the late Archbishop Brian Usanga, as well as Francis Cardinal Arinze, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, and John Cardinal Onaiyekan.