Niger State Bans Religious Preaching, Introduces Licence Requirement For Preachers

The Niger State government has banned all forms of religious preaching and directed that anyone who wishes to preach must first obtain a licence.

Confirming the development on Thursday, the Director General of Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, said preachers have two months to comply with the directive. According to him, intending preachers are expected to apply, face a screening panel, and secure approval before engaging in preaching activities.

While some clerics supported the move as a means of curbing incitement and insecurity, others condemned it as a violation of religious freedom.

The Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bashir Yankuzo, said preaching is a divine command that government cannot restrict, though he acknowledged that measures may be needed to check those who incite violence.

Similarly, an Islamic scholar, Ustaz Hassan, insisted that such a law should first pass through the State House of Assembly, while another scholar, Uthman Siraja, described the ban as an infringement on religious rights.

On its part, the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said it was not officially aware of the directive and would respond once formally informed.