The Niger State government has introduced a controversial policy banning all forms of religious preaching without a government-issued license, effective immediately.
The directive, confirmed by Umar Farooq, Director General of the Niger State Bureau of Religious Affairs, requires all clerics to obtain a preaching license within the next two months or face legal consequences.
Farooq, in a statement to journalists on Thursday, September 4, 2025, explained that the move aims to regulate public preaching and curb inflammatory rhetoric that could threaten security.
“Any preacher who wishes to preach must visit our office, complete the necessary forms, and undergo screening by a panel before being cleared,” he said.
The policy initially focuses on Islamic preachers, with plans to extend the licensing process to Christian clerics once the framework is fully established.
The decision follows concerns over a controversial Islamic cleric, Muhammad Ibn Muhammad, accused of using his preaching sessions to promote anti-democratic sentiments and deliver inflammatory speeches.
The government cited the need to maintain peace and unity as the rationale for the ban and licensing requirement.
Reactions to the policy have been mixed. Bashir Yankuzo, Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, argued that preaching is a religious obligation and the government cannot dictate who can preach.
However, he acknowledged that authorities could regulate preaching to prevent security threats caused by abusive or inflammatory language.
Raphael Opawoye, Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, stated that the Christian body had not been officially informed of the directive but would respond once notified.
Some religious and legal experts have raised concerns about the policy’s constitutionality, arguing it may infringe on freedom of religion and expression.
The government has warned that violators of the ban will face sanctions, emphasizing its commitment to promoting peace and religious harmony.
Preachers are urged to comply by obtaining forms from the Bureau of Religious Affairs and undergoing the screening process within the stipulated timeframe.
The policy has sparked debate across Niger State, with some residents supporting the move as a step toward curbing extremism, while others view it as an overreach of government authority.
As the two-month compliance window begins, the state awaits further clarity on the implementation and its broader implications.
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