Christian Youths Condemn New Law in Niger State, Demand Gov. Bago Withdraw Sermon-Approval Policy

A Christian youth group has urged Niger State Governor Umar Bago to abandon a newly introduced law that mandates pastors and other religious preachers to submit their sermons for government approval before delivering them publicly. The Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF), led by Convener James Paul Adama, described the policy as oppressive, retrogressive, and in direct conflict with basic human rights.

According to the CCYF, the requirement amounts to religious censorship and violates Sections 38 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which protect freedom of conscience, religion, thought, and expression. They also cited international agreements such as Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the UN’s Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981), all of which uphold the right to religious freedom.

The group criticized the state government’s priorities, pointing out that over 64% of Niger State’s population lives below the poverty line, yet the government is focusing instead on controlling sermons. CCYF argued that funds and policy efforts would be better spent reducing poverty, strengthening education, improving health infrastructure, enhancing security, and addressing other urgent development challenges. While CCYF agrees that irresponsible or inflammatory preaching should be addressed, it asserted that requiring sermon approval by the government is neither justifiable nor consistent with peaceful coexistence. The group called on Governor Bago to repeal the law immediately, citing the need for good governance, justice, and respect for both national constitutional provisions and international human rights norms.

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