Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has introduced a new policy mandating that religious preachers must submit their sermons for approval before delivering them publicly. The measure, described by the governor on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, is intended to curb messages that could incite unrest or undermine government authority.
Under the policy, all clerics are to obtain a licence within two months, complete a form, and go through a screening panel before being cleared to preach. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has been assigned to supervise the process, while security agencies—including the DSS, Police, NSCDC, and military—are to assist with enforcement.
Supporters of the policy argue it will help prevent hate speech, extremist rhetoric, and politically motivated sermonizing. Critics, however, warn that it may violate constitutional rights to freedom of worship and expression, calling it government overreach. Religious bodies such as CAN and various scholars have called for prayerful consideration of how the law will be implemented.
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