Christian Voices Reject Niger State’s Sermon-Approval Policy as Violation of Religious Freedom

Christian leaders and youth groups in Niger State have strongly condemned a newly-introduced policy by Governor Umaru Bago requiring religious preachers to submit their sermon texts for government approval and obtain licences to preach publicly. They say the policy undermines constitutional and international protections of religious and free-speech rights.


Governor Bago, speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, defended the policy as a necessary measure to prevent sermons that may incite violence, spread harmful messages or undermine public order. Under the terms, all preachers must obtain a licence within two months, submit preached texts or “scriptures” in advance to a review panel, and undergo screening. Security agencies including the DSS, police, NSCDC and military will assist in monitoring compliance.


The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has demanded full disclosure of the policy details, saying they were not sufficiently consulted and were unaware of the ban on preaching and licensing requirements. The Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) described the policy as “anti-religious, retrogressive, oppressive and a gross violation of fundamental human rights.”


They pointed out that Sections 38 and 39 of Nigeria’s Constitution protect freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression, and also cited international treaties such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.


Critics warn that the policy could lead to censorship of sermons, chill religious teaching, and ignite distrust between religious communities and the government. Some religious leaders argue that while sermons containing hate speech or incitement to violence can be regulated, a blanket requirement for government vetting of all religious texts is overreaching and dangerous to democracy.


Legal experts also question whether the policy has a firm legislative basis, noting that laws of this kind must be passed by the State House of Assembly to be constitutional.


As the debate intensifies, Christian groups urge the government to suspend the policy and engage in broader consultation with religious bodies, human rights advocates and constitutional law experts to ensure that measures to maintain security do not erode the right to worship freely and speak out of conscience.

Share to: