…”I didn’t ban evangelism,” Bago explained. “For everyone going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal.
NIGER, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has ignited a fierce debate over religious freedom after announcing that all sermons in the state must now be vetted and approved by the government before being delivered. The directive, which the governor insists is intended to curb inflammatory preaching, has drawn widespread condemnation from both Muslim and Christian leaders who say it threatens constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of worship.
Bago confirmed the controversial policy during an appearance on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, where he warned that anti-government preaching would not be tolerated. He stressed that the new requirement does not amount to a ban on religious evangelism, but rather a necessary safeguard to prevent incitement and extremist rhetoric.
“I didn’t ban evangelism,” Bago explained. “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. 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.”
Bago further admitted that the order was prompted by concerns about possible indoctrination of worshippers. “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,” Bago said.
The governor’s latest pronouncement follows an earlier statement by the Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs Department, Umar Farooq, which hinted at a broader government clampdown on unregulated preaching. Farooq had announced that anyone wishing to preach in Niger State must obtain an official licence within two months or face a ban from 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 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.”
This twin policy of sermon approval and mandatory licensing has triggered a wave of criticism across the state’s religious community.
The Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bashir Yankuzo, rejected the directive outright, arguing that government interference in religious messages violates fundamental rights. “The government cannot dictate who to preach to and who not to preach,” he declared.
Similarly, the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) expressed surprise and concern. Secretary of the association, Raphael Opawoye, said the body had not been officially notified of the policy and would release a formal statement after obtaining full details. “The Christian Association of Nigeria is not aware of the ban. We shall come up with a statement when we are officially informed,” Opawoye stated.
Islamic scholar Uthman Siraja was even more forthright in his condemnation, calling the directive an infringement on freedom of worship. “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,” he argued.
The debate highlights a deepening tension between state security concerns and the constitutional right to religious expression. While Bago insists the measures are preventive, citing international examples such as Saudi Arabia’s regulation of sermons, critics warn that the policy sets a dangerous precedent and could be abused to stifle dissenting voices.
As reactions continue to mount, the state government has yet to outline how it intends to enforce the directive without breaching Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and speech. For now, Niger State finds itself at the centre of a national conversation on the balance between public security and religious liberty, a debate that is unlikely to end soon.
