Niger State Governor Umar Bago said preachers must submit sermons for screening before preaching publicly.
He explained the policy aims to curb incitement, improve oversight and protect public order statewide.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago has explained that religious preachers in the state will now have to submit their sermons for screening before they can deliver them.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, the governor said the policy is intended to regulate preaching, not to outlaw evangelism. He noted that similar practices exist in countries such as Saudi Arabia, adding that the state cannot allow clerics to spread messages that undermine public order or government policies.
According to him, the move is also designed to prevent indoctrination and improve security oversight. He said security agencies including the Department of State Services, Police, Civil Defense Corps and the military will work with the government to monitor compliance and review sermons.
The directive first became public earlier this month when the Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs Bureau, Umar Farooq, announced that anyone intending to preach must obtain a government license. Preachers have been given a two-month grace period to apply, fill out a form and face a screening panel before being allowed to preach.
While some religious leaders are still seeking clarity, Niger State’s chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria said it had not been formally informed of the new rules but would issue a statement once notified.
Criticism has also emerged from Islamic scholars. Uthman Siraja described the policy as a restriction on religious freedom, arguing that rather than imposing a blanket approval system, the government should target and penalize clerics who incite the public with their messages.
