By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh
In a compelling appeal for ecological conversion and social equity, Rev. Fr. Michael ‘Leke Banjo, Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), has called on Nigerians to move away from a history of environmental exploitation toward a future rooted in “sacred stewardship.”
Delivering the Opening Remarks on May 7, 2026, at the GreenFaith Nigeria Multifaith and Multisectoral Forum, to a diverse gathering of religious leaders, policy experts, and climate advocates, the cleric advanced that Nigeria’s transition to clean energy must be treated as a moral obligation rather than a mere economic project.
Drawing deeply from the Book of Genesis and Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, Fr. Banjo reminded the forum that the earth is not a possession to be plundered, but a “common home” entrusted to human care.
“To till is a call to work, to develop, and to innovate,” Fr. Banjo noted. “But to keep is a call to stewardship, ensuring that technology and development remain governed by justice, restraint, and reverence.”
Fr. Banjo lamented that for decades, this balance has been tilted toward exploitation. He cited the “wounded” landscapes of Nigeria, notably, the oil pollution in the Niger Delta and gully erosion in the Southeast to desertification in the North, as evidence of a failure to protect this sacred trust.
A central theme of the address was the inextricable link between environmental neglect and human suffering. Fr. Banjo warned that the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are not separate sorrows.”
He cautioned that as Nigeria embarks on its Just Energy Transition Plan, it must avoid “reproducing old injustices in cleaner language.” He also emphasised that a transition that benefits only the wealthy while leaving the energy-poor behind is not a transition toward justice.
“Energy is not a luxury. It is tied to life, health, education, and human dignity,” Fr. Banjo affirmed. “What God entrusts to all must not be exploited by a few.”
The Secretary General did not limit his critique to the government, but went further to provide a roadmap for different sectors of society. In this regard, for those in government, he challenged them to come up with clear, consistent policies that protect affected communities and ensure no region is left behind. To investors, he urged that financial institutions lead with “conscience,” placing community ownership and local capacity over profit. He then called the citizens to personal accountability by embracing “daily choices” of care; reducing waste, protecting drainages, and ending the culture of pollution in public spaces.
The forum, organised in collaboration with GreenFaith Africa and The Kukah Centre, highlights a growing interfaith movement in Nigeria focused on climate justice. Fr. Banjo reaffirmed the Catholic Secretariat’s commitment to walking alongside other faith traditions to “uplift the poor and advance a truly just energy transition.”
As Nigeria stands at this pivotal crossroads, Fr. Banjo’s message was clear: the success of the nation’s energy future will not be measured in megawatts alone, but in the restoration of the land and the dignity of the people who live upon it.
