On 9 June 2025, Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke, Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, and Chairman of the 4th Enugu Diocesan Synod, was a guest on Christian Faith and Neopaganism, a radio program hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu on 94.5 Urban Radio. On July 25th, he will celebrate his Silver Jubilee — 25 years in the Catholic priesthood.
During the program, Fr. Prof. Anieke addressed a wide range of issues including the priesthood, Nigeria’s education sector, neo-paganism, the Igbo apprenticeship system (Igba-boi), and skill acquisition.
Reflecting on his 25-year journey as a priest, Anieke described it as “a triumph of God’s grace.” He credited all his achievements to divine providence: “I am an unworthy person, yet God decided to use me despite my imperfections.” He noted that he discovered his vocation to the priesthood through prayer: “It was in prayer that I found my calling.”
To those who admire him or look up to him, he gave a clear directive: “Look up to Jesus Christ instead.” He emphasized the importance of prayer and urged young people to be serious and committed in whatever they choose to pursue.
On the State of Education
Fr. Prof. Anieke offered a critique of the current education system in Nigeria, stating:
“Education is the process that transforms animals into human beings. Every society must decide what kind of human beings it wants to produce, and then create a system to mold them accordingly.”
He lamented that in Nigeria, education is still largely viewed as a matter of passing exams and obtaining certificates, rather than cultivating functional individuals with real-world skills.
“Unless your certificate reflects actual skills, it is meaningless,” he said. “The moment we change how we perceive education in Nigeria, we will stop seeing it as a scam.”
He attributed the country’s flawed view of education to colonial legacies and emphasized the need to redefine education to include moral values, character formation, and practical skills.
Fr. Prof. Anieke called for a shift away from an education system focused solely on reading and writing, and toward one that emphasizes skill-based training. He particularly praised the Igbo apprenticeship model and suggested that it be formalized:
“The government and academic institutions should formalize the apprenticeship system — setting a defined duration for training, structured earnings for apprentices, and post-apprenticeship empowerment by the government. If we do this, we’ll significantly reduce crime and social unrest.”
On the Church and Society
As Chairman of the upcoming 4th Enugu Diocesan Synod, themed “Faith and Practice in Enugu Diocese”, Anieke expressed concern over rising social ills in the region, including ritual killings and kidnapping for organ trafficking.
He urged young people to avoid these vices and implored the government to provide meaningful alternatives to keep them engaged. He also stressed the role of parents:
“Parents must rise to their responsibilities — they need to question the source of their children’s sudden wealth and offer consistent moral guidance.”
Fr. Prof. Anieke also called on churches to reorient their focus from monetary gains to spirituality and moral formation. He encouraged all faithful to actively participate in the forthcoming Synod, which will serve as a platform for important dialogue and reflection.
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