The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, has raised concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in Italy after alleging that he was required to obtain special authorisation to withdraw money from his account with the Vatican Bank.
Onah, a former Vice-Rector of the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, reportedly recounted his experience while addressing Catholic faithful in Italy, with a video of his remarks circulating on social media.
According to reports published on Wednesday, October 14, the bishop said he visited the bank two days earlier to withdraw money from his account but was informed that he needed approval from the administration or secretariat because he had exceeded the permitted cash-withdrawal limit.
The cleric said the development surprised him because he had not encountered such a requirement previously.
Recounting the incident, Onah explained that a priest accompanying him asked whether the restriction applied to everyone or only to bishops.
According to the bishop, the response indicated that the rule depended on where a customer was born.
Onah interpreted the explanation as suggesting that Nigerians faced particular difficulties accessing their money through certain banking services in Italy.
He expressed concern that being Nigerian could complicate everyday activities abroad, including accessing financial services.
“Sometimes for us Nigerians, the very fact that you are a Nigerian is a problem,” he reportedly said.
The bishop also raised concerns about Nigerians experiencing difficulties opening accounts with Postepay, a payment service in Italy, suggesting that some Nigerians had recently been unable to access the service.
His comments have renewed discussion about the treatment of Nigerians living abroad and whether their nationality or country of birth affects their access to financial services.
However, the circumstances surrounding the reported withdrawal restriction have not been independently verified, and no confirmed response from the Vatican Bank establishing that Nigerians are subject to a discriminatory withdrawal policy was identified in the reports reviewed.
It also remains unclear whether the authorisation requirement was connected to a general withdrawal limit, a customer-specific restriction or a policy based on country of birth.
Bishop Onah was appointed Bishop of Nsukka by Pope Francis in April 2013. Before his appointment, he served as Vice-Rector of the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, where he had also worked as a professor of philosophy.
