NBC Begins 113th Annual Session In Abuja Saturday, Seeks End To Insecurity, Economic Hardship, Others

The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has announced the commencement of its 113th Annual Session in Abuja, calling for urgent action on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and institutional challenges.

Addressing journalists on Friday ahead of the annual convention, the President of the NBC, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, said the gathering is scheduled to hold from April 18 to 23,m2026, at the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC) along the Kubwa-Zuba Expressway, with the FCT Baptist Conference serving as host.

He described the gathering as a moment of spiritual renewal, themed “Entering into Newness through the Fruit and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit,” anchored on Acts of Apostles 1:8.

“The vision we have received from the Lord is that of NEWNESS for the entire Nigerian Baptist Convention, which will affect our lives and our nation positively,” Akanji said. “We are convinced that through this vehicle, we will experience newness in our lives, our nation and the world at large.”

Tracing the denomination’s roots, Akanji noted that Baptist work in Nigeria dates back 176 years, beginning in 1850 through American missionary Thomas Jefferson Bowen, while the Convention itself was formally established in 1914.

He highlighted the Convention’s contributions to education and healthcare, citing institutions such as Bowen University and the Bowen University Teaching Hospital among others as key pillars supporting national development.

“The Baptist education has been of great benefit to our great country,” he said, noting that prominent Nigerian leaders, including lats Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former President Olusegun Obasanjo passed through Baptist-founded schools.

The Convention commended President Bola Tinubu for ongoing economic reforms but warned that implementation must be closely monitored across all levels of government.

“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s economic reform which is intended to revive our nation however, the three tiers of government must be monitored in order to ensure adequate implementation,” Akanji said.

On the controversial wave of emigration of young Nigerians for grenner pastures popularly known as “Japa,” he expressed concern over the loss of skilled manpower.

“Nigerians are all over the world, developing other countries while their own country remains stunted, to put it mildly,” he said, urging stronger policies to curb the trend.

On security, Akanji described the situation as intolerable and demanded decisive government action.

“The menace of insecurity has become totally unbearable for us in Nigeria,” he said. “This is not the time to pay lip service, it has become imperative to urge [security agencies] to do more.”

He decried ongoing killings across states including Plateau, Benue, and Zamfara, noting that “the situation where we are doing mass burials is totally unacceptable and reprehensible.”

The Nigeria Baptist Convention also reiterated its support for the creation of state police, arguing that the current policing structure was inadequate.

On economic conditions, Akanji acknowledged inherited challenges but urged faster interventions.

“We urge [the President] to continue to intensify action in putting in place economic policies which will mend the broken pieces as quickly as possible,” he said.

He also raised concerns over high air travel costs, poor road infrastructure, and the underdeveloped railway system.

“It appears that Nigeria has not given sufficient attention to the railway system… [it] will ensure the durability of our roads and drastically reduce national losses,” he added.

On electricity, he called for a national dialogue to address persistent power shortages, describing the situation as dire.

“It is unimaginable that in a renowned teaching hospital… patients have to bring in their own generator. This eye sore must not be allowed to fester,” he said.

The Baptist leader urged all levels of government to declare a state of emergency in education to tackle out-of-school children and institutional crises.

He also warned of a looming collapse in the health sector due to the migration of professionals.

“We call on the Federal Ministry of Health to wake up to their responsibilities before our hospitals become mere consultant institutions,” he said.

With the 2027 elections approaching, Akanji cautioned political leaders against neglecting governance.

“Whoever does his work well now needs not fear the coming 2027 elections because people’s work will speak for them,” he said.

He further urged politicians to “shun all forms of violence and election malpractices,” adding that “our political ambition is not worth the blood of anyone.”

Rev. Akanji concluded by inviting Nigerians to the convention session, describing it as a time for “revival, worship, prayer for our country… and planning for the coming years.”

“May the Almighty God make our annual gathering a blessing to us and our entire nation,” he stated.