Niger State has banned preaching without a license, sparking backlash from religious leaders who call it an infringement on worship rights.
The Niger State government has banned all forms of religious preaching, directing that preachers must obtain a licence before carrying out activities.
Confirming the ban in a telephone interview on Thursday, the Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, said the directive takes effect immediately. “It is true, the State Government has banned preaching. Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months,” he said. Farooq explained that applicants will fill out a form and face a screening panel before approval.
Reactions have trailed the move. The Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bashir Yankuzo, said, “Preaching is a command… the government cannot dictate who to preach to and who not to preach.” CAN Secretary in Niger, Raphael Opawoye, said the body was unaware of the ban. Other scholars described the policy as unconstitutional and an infringement on freedom of worship.