Niger State Governor Umar Bago has announced that preachers in the state must now submit their sermons for approval before delivering them to worshippers.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, the governor defended the controversial directive, saying it was not intended to ban evangelism but to prevent harmful preaching.
“I didn’t ban evangelism… For everyone going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal.
Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done,” Bago explained.
“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.”
The governor further revealed that the initiative was linked to security concerns, stressing that the state was working closely with security operatives.
“It’s in that direction. We want to be able to see what they are preaching, hear what they are saying.
We are working together with security agencies; the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military,” he said.
The order follows the announcement by the Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, who earlier disclosed that preachers would be required to obtain licences before mounting the pulpit.
“It is true, the State Government has banned preaching.
Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months,” Farooq had stated.
“All they need to do is to visit our office, get, and fill out the form. After which, they will have to face a panel that will screen them before they can start preaching.”
The directive has sparked heated debate among religious groups.
The secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Raphael Opawoye, said the group had not been officially notified.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is not aware of the ban. We shall come up with a statement when we are officially informed,” Opawoye said.
Meanwhile, some Islamic clerics have also condemned the order. Scholar Uthman Siraja described the move as an attack on religious freedom.
“The ban on preaching is an infringement of freedom of worship and religion. The best thing for the government to do is to invite and penalise any preacher who incites the public in the course of his preaching,” Siraja stated.
The new sermon approval policy in Niger State has raised fears about government overreach into religious activities, with critics warning it could set a dangerous precedent.
However, supporters of the directive argue that it is necessary to curb extremist preaching and reduce insecurity.
