The Niger State Government has introduced a new policy mandating religious clerics to submit their sermons for vetting before delivering them publicly.
Governor Umar Bago announced the policy during an interview on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, stating that the move aims to curb the spread of inciting or divisive messages.
“I didn’t ban evangelism,” Bago clarified. “But anyone planning to preach on Friday must submit their sermon for review. It’s a normal process—even in Saudi Arabia, similar practices exist.”
He emphasized that religious freedom does not grant permission to promote messages that are “anti-people” or “anti-government.”
To enforce the policy, the state government will work closely with national security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the military.
“We want to monitor what is being preached and ensure it aligns with societal values,” Bago said.
In addition to sermon vetting, the state is rolling out a new licensing regime for preachers. Earlier this month, Umar Farooq, head of the Niger State Religious Affairs Board, confirmed the development.
According to Farooq, all clerics are required to obtain preaching licenses within two months. “They must visit our office, fill out a form, and appear before a screening panel before receiving approval to preach,” he said.
The new policy is part of broader efforts by the state government to regulate religious messaging and promote peace and security across the state.
