Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has defended the state’s new policy requiring religious preachers to submit their sermons for review before delivering them
Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, Bago clarified that the law is not a ban on evangelism but a safeguard against messages that could incite violence or threaten public peace.
“I didn’t ban evangelism. For anybody going to sermon on a Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, it’s done like that. We cannot say because you have been given the opportunity to be a cleric, you will go out and preach the gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and you think it’s normal,” he said.
Bago explained that the move aims to curb indoctrination and will be enforced with the support of security agencies including the DSS, police, civil defence, and the military.
Earlier this month, Umar Farooq, Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, announced that all preachers must obtain a licence within two months. The process includes filling out forms, facing a screening panel, and receiving certification before being allowed to preach publicly.
The decision has stirred mixed reactions among Nigerians.
The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) clarified that the directive does not affect Christian preachers and said there would be no legal challenge to the policy. Daniel Atori, media aide to the CAN chairman, explained that the Bureau for Religious Affairs only introduced a registration and certification process to guide clerics and curb harmful teachings.
Similarly, the Niger State Bureau for Religious Affairs dismissed claims of a blanket ban on preaching. Its media aide, Haruna Mustapha, said the goal is to promote harmony and ensure that religious messages foster peace.
“The objective of the exercise is to sensitise the sector, promote religious harmony, unity, and ensure proper religious propagation throughout the state. Furthermore, the committee has been mandated to issue guidelines to all applicants, and any violation of the guidelines may lead to withdrawal of the certificate granted,” Mustapha stated.
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