The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Metropolitan See, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged the Federal Government to demonstrate genuine accountability by creating accessible avenues for citizens to verify infrastructural projects funded by foreign loans. The cleric made this call during the 60th World Communications Day, organized by the Directorate of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, in collaboration with the Order of Knights of Saint Mulumba at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.
Growing Public Concern Over National Debt
The Archbishop’s remarks come amid escalating public criticism over Nigeria’s soaring national debt. Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the federal government has relied heavily on global lenders, securing over $8 billion from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Nigeria’s total public debt has surged past ₦159 trillion and is projected to reach ₦170 trillion.
Borrowing Must Be Tied to Visible Infrastructure
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists, Archbishop Martins noted that while borrowing can serve as a legitimate development tool, it must be linked to identifiable and verifiable infrastructure. “The problem generally arises when borrowing is done and the funds never meet the purpose for which they were collected,” Martins said, lamenting the government’s historic failure to maintain transparency. “If citizens are cynical about borrowing, it is the duty of the government to reassure everyone by ensuring that the monies are put to measurable, visible use.”
Systemic Corruption Blamed for Debt Pile
The Archbishop blamed systemic corruption for the country’s piling debt, arguing that removing corrupt tendencies from the procurement process would allow loans to effectively drive development. He also charged the media to rigorously investigate government loans, track disbursements, and hold officials accountable for project execution.
World Communications Day Theme: Preserving Human Voices
Speaking on this year’s World Communications Day theme, “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” Archbishop Martins cautioned against allowing rapid technological advancements to erode human relationships. Despite the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the cleric emphasised the need to preserve authentic human interaction and emotional depth.
“Very often, it is easier to send text messages than to make calls. But the human voice carries emotions and psychological soothing that text messages simply cannot replicate. We must not allow technology to become a barrier to genuine human relationships,” Martins said. He added that education and media literacy are vital tools to safeguarding human values in a digital age.
Call for Responsible Communication
Echoing the Archbishop’s sentiments, the Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, stated that the theme highlights an urgent need to safeguard humanity against the over-automation of communication by algorithms and virtual simulations. Godonu warned against letting technology diminish the sacredness of human dignity, pointing out that Nigeria has already suffered the consequences of digital misinformation.
“In recent years, misinformation, fake news, manipulated digital content, and divisive propaganda have contributed to social tensions, religious misunderstandings, political polarization, and deep distrust within society,” Godonu said. He noted that during critical national moments, such as elections, social media platforms are frequently flooded with doctored content designed to provoke raw emotion rather than promote truth. Godonu concluded by challenging all media professionals, content creators, and digital citizens to communicate responsibly, ethically, and with a human soul.
