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Niger’s Governor Bago Orders Clerics to Submit Sermons For Approval

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MINNA, Nigeria — Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has defended his administration’s directive requiring preachers to submit their sermons for review, insisting the measure is aimed at preventing incitement and not a ban on evangelism.

Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday on Sunday, September 14, 2025,  Bago said the policy was part of efforts to safeguard public order and promote security across the state.

“I didn’t ban evangelism. The religious affairs said for anybody going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review,” the governor said.

“It’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, it is done like that. We cannot say because you have been given the opportunity to be a cleric, you will go out and preach some gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and you think it’s normal.”

The comments followed the state government’s recent decision to prohibit unlicensed religious preaching and to mandate official authorisation for those wishing to preach.

Umar Farooq, director-general of the Niger State Religious Affairs Department, announced earlier that preachers had been given a two-month window to obtain the required licence.

Bago stressed that the review process was not intended to stifle religious activity but to monitor messages that could destabilise the state.

“We want to be able to see what they are preaching, and hear what they are saying,” he said.

This is not the first time the Niger State government has drawn controversy with restrictive measures.

In August, the governor ordered the closure of Badeggi FM radio station over alleged incitement.

Earlier in April, he directed the arrest of Minna residents with dreadlocks and mandated their hair be trimmed, a move he said was meant to curb crime and social vices.

That order prompted significant public backlash.

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