Niger State Government has announced a new policy requiring religious preachers to submit their sermons for approval before delivering them in public.
Governor Umar Bago confirmed the development during an appearance on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, explaining that the measure is intended to prevent harmful or incendiary messages.
“I didn’t ban evangelism… For everyone attending the sermon on Friday, please bring your scriptures for review, which is normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done,” Bago said.
“We cannot say because you have been allowed to be a cleric, you will go out and preach the gospel that is anti-people, anti-government, and you think it’s normal.”
The governor added that security agencies would collaborate with the state to enforce the policy.