Niger State Governor Umar Bago has said preachers in the state must submit their sermons for approval, a directive he described as a security measure rather than a ban on evangelism.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, Mr Bago said clerics would be required to present their scriptures for review before preaching. “I didn’t ban evangelism… For everyone going to a sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done. 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.
Asked whether the move was motivated by fears of indoctrination, the governor replied, “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.”
Earlier this month the state government announced that preachers must obtain licences to preach. “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,” an official identified as Farooq said. He added that applicants would be required to visit a government office, complete a form and appear before a screening panel before being allowed to preach.
The development has generated controversy among religious leaders. Bashir Yankuzo, Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, said preaching is a religious duty and argued the government cannot dictate who should preach. “My opinion is that preaching is a command. The government is not paying anyone for doing the job; people are preaching in order to earn the pleasure of God. So, the government cannot dictate who to preach to and who not to preach,” he said, but added that the state may intervene if preachers incite violence or threaten security.
Raphael Opawoye, secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, said the association had not been officially informed of any ban and would issue a statement when formally notified.
An Islamic scholar, Uthman Siraja, described the policy as an infringement on religious freedom, saying the better approach would be to invite and penalise any preacher who incites the public rather than imposing a general restriction.
Human rights advocates and some religious leaders have warned the measure could undermine freedom of worship and expression. The state government maintains it is aimed at preventing inflammatory or anti-government messages that could threaten peace and security.
