Nigeria Faces ‘Formation Deficit’ Worse Than Information Crisis, Catholic Church Warns as It Mobilises Media for 2027 Elections

Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria is confronting a crisis far deeper than the spread of misinformation, the Catholic Church has declared, warning that the nation suffers from a “formation deficit” where millions lack the moral compass to make responsible decisions as the 2027 general elections approach.

Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), sounded the alarm on Wednesday at the opening of the three-day General Assembly of Directors of Communications in Abuja, rallying Catholic media professionals to lead a national project of conscience formation and civic reawakening .

“Many people know what is happening around them, but fewer know how to judge rightly or act morally,” Fr. Banjo told directors from dioceses nationwide. He declared that Catholic communications must transcend mere audience growth on social media to become “instruments for the transformation of society” and tools for building a Nigeria “where truth prevails over falsehood, integrity over corruption, dialogue over division, hope over despair, and justice over oppression” .

The Assembly, themed “Structure for Synergy: The Future of Catholic Media and Communications in Nigeria,” convened at a critical political moment. With the general elections on the horizon, the Church has drawn a distinct line in the sand .

Sacred Responsibility at the Ballot Box

Fr. Banjo instructed that every Catholic communication platform must transform into a centre for civic awareness, declaring that “responsible citizenship is an expression of our Christian vocation.” He issued a direct mandate for the Church’s media machinery: encourage every eligible Nigerian to obtain a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and move the national discourse beyond “politics of personality and ethnicity” to a “politics of values and service” .

Echoing recent warnings from bishops in Osun State who described vote-selling as a “greater sin,” Fr. Banjo urged media practitioners to evaluate candidates based on “integrity, competence, accountability, respect for the sanctity of life, and commitment to the common good” .

The Digital Battlefield

The warning comes amid a broader strategy shift by the Church to reclaim the digital space. The Bishop Chairman of the Department of Social Communications, Most Rev. Gerald Musa, also addressed the assembly, cautioning that a “hostile” environment and misinformation are threatening the Church’s voice . He insisted that Catholic media must abandon passive approaches and launch a coordinated “digital counter-offensive” to define the Church’s mission in an era of instant information .

“The future of Catholic communications in Nigeria will depend not only on better equipment or newer technology, but on mutual trust, respect for roles, honest dialogue and a shared commitment to the Church’s mission,” Fr. Banjo said .

As part of the strategy, Fr. Banjo called for a coordinated national effort to develop high-quality Catholic content—including catechetical videos, podcasts, documentaries, and family formation materials—to combat the “formation deficit” at every stage of life .

“If our communication is to be credible,” he concluded, “our collaboration must be visible.”