Niger State Bureau for Religious Affairs has debunked reports that it imposed a blanket ban on Islamic preachers.
It described viral social media claims on the issue as “misinformation.”
The clarification is contained in a press release signed by the media aide of the Bureau’s director-general, Ambassador Haruna Mustapha (Dago).
This was followed by supportive comments from the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman, Rev. John Hayab, who urged unity and accurate reporting.
The controversy began after a meeting of the state’s Peace and Conflict Management Committee on September 4, which was presided over by the bureau’s director-general.
The misinterpretations of the meeting’s outcomes led to reports claiming the agency had “suspended Islamic scholars and clerics from preaching.”
“The Agency does not have the authority to arbitrarily ban Islamic scholars or clerics unless there is a clear violation of established guidelines,” he said in the press release.
According to the bureau, the meeting was convened to introduce a Da’awah Registration Form and Certification Process.
The initiative is described as a sensitisation effort to “prevent misunderstanding and curb the spread of misleading preaching” across state.
“The objective of the exercise is to sensitise the sector, promote religious harmony, unity, and ensure proper religious propagation throughout the state,” the release explained.
Echoing the government’s clarification, Rev Hayab said the governor’s intentions were being misrepresented.
“I think people are misquoting the governor. They are taking him out of context. The governor of Niger State was simply explaining the action they took to correct a particular incident. where some people came to preach in such a way that instigates incitement,” he said.
Hayab confirmed that the Bureau for Religious Affairs had corrected the circulating story.
He expressed support for government measures aimed at preventing a crisis, but also highlighted a practical concern for Christian preaching.
