The Anglican Church has strongly opposed any attempts to shift Nigeria toward an Islamic state, specifically rejecting the inclusion of Sharia financial protocols within the national banking system. During the closing of the 3rd Session of the 12th Synod in Calabar, Bishop Prof. Nneoyi Onen Egbe argued that such measures fail to improve institutional transparency or accountability.
Bishop Egbe characterized Nigeria as a nation divided into two tiers. The elite, including politicians and their associates, occupy a self-sufficient tier with private utilities and security. Conversely, the majority of the population dwells in a tier defined by extreme hardship, crumbling infrastructure, and insecurity. He criticized leadership for prioritizing personal insulation over addressing systemic national failures.
The Synod advocated for a major shift in governance, suggesting that religious and traditional leaders should play a role in selecting public officials to move away from partisan appointments. They pushed for prioritizing technocratic merit over ethnic considerations. Furthermore, the Church emphasized the necessity for tighter border management to address security concerns, while also highlighting the Diocese’s recent humanitarian contributions, including local scholarships and infrastructure projects for those in need.