JUST-IN: Niger Bans Sermons Without Government Approval

Niger State Governor, Umar Bago has declared that all religious preachers in the state must submit their sermons for review and approval before addressing congregations.

Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, the governor stated that the move was not a ban on evangelism but a measure to ensure that religious messages do not incite hatred or threaten public peace.

Governor Explains Policy

Bago said the step was necessary to prevent clerics from spreading messages considered harmful to society or hostile to government.

“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. We cannot say because you are a cleric, you will go out and preach the gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and think it’s normal,” he stated.

The governor also linked the policy to security concerns, noting that agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS), the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the military were involved in monitoring religious activities.

“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,” he added.

Licensing and Mixed Reactions

Earlier, the state’s Director General of Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, had announced that any individual who intends to preach in Niger must obtain a licence within two months.

According to him, applicants are required to fill out forms and appear before a screening panel before they are granted approval 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,” Farooq said.

“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 generated mixed reactions among religious leaders.

Bashir Yankuzo, Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, argued that preaching is a divine duty that should not be dictated by government.

However, he acknowledged that intervention may be necessary when clerics use abusive language or pose a security risk.

“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,” Yankuzo said.

“But at the same time, if there are people who are going out of their way to cause security threats, using abusive words and so on, then government can have control over that in order to maintain peace and security.”

Similarly, Raphael Opawoye, secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger, said the Christian body was not officially informed about the ban.

“The Christian Association of Nigeria is not aware of the ban. We shall come up with a statement when we are officially informed,” he stated.