Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has declared that preachers must submit their sermons for government approval, clarifying aspects of a controversial law aimed at regulating preaching in the state. Speaking on Sunday, Bago emphasized that the policy does not ban evangelism but requires clerics to have their scriptures reviewed to prevent anti-government or anti-people messages.
“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 said. Addressing concerns about indoctrination, he added, “We want to be able to see what they are preaching, hear what they are saying.” The governor noted that the state is collaborating with security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the military, to enforce the policy.
The regulation, first announced earlier this month, has stirred debate. Umar Farooq, Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, stated that preachers have two months to obtain a licence, requiring them to fill out a form and face a screening panel before preaching. “Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months,” Farooq said.
The policy has drawn mixed reactions. Bashir Yankuzo, Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, acknowledged the government’s right to regulate preaching that poses security threats, such as abusive language, but argued that preaching is a divine command and should not be broadly restricted. “The government is not paying anyone for doing the job; people are preaching to earn the pleasure of God,” he said.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, through its secretary, Raphael Opawoye, said it was unaware of the ban and would issue a statement once officially informed. Meanwhile, Islamic scholar Uthman Siraja criticized the policy as an infringement on religious freedom, suggesting that the government should penalize specific preachers who incite unrest rather than impose a blanket ban.
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