Niger State government says all religious preachers must get licenses before preaching.
Some clerics support the rule, while others say it limits freedom of worship.
The Niger State government has announced a ban on unlicensed religious preaching, directing that anyone intending to preach must first secure official approval.
The Director General of Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, confirmed the new policy on Thursday. He explained that preachers have two months to comply, during which they are expected to submit applications, appear before a screening panel, and obtain a license before engaging in public preaching.
The directive has drawn mixed reactions from religious leaders. Some clerics welcomed the decision as a step toward curbing inflammatory sermons and improving security, while others criticized it as an attack on freedom of worship.
The Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bashir Yankuzo, argued that preaching is a divine duty that should not be curtailed by government. However, he admitted that checks may be necessary against individuals who use religion to stir unrest.
Another Islamic scholar, Ustaz Hassan, maintained that such a regulation ought to pass through the state legislature before enforcement. Similarly, Uthman Siraja, also a scholar, described the move as an encroachment on religious rights.
In a cautious reaction, the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said it had not received an official communication on the matter but promised to issue a statement once formally notified.
