By Erewunmi Peace

The Niger State government has announced a ban on public religious preaching without official approval, directing all preachers to obtain licences within two months.

The directive was issued by the Director-General of the Bureau of Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, who explained that the move is aimed at regulating religious activities and promoting peace across the state.

Under the new policy, preachers must apply for a licence and appear before a screening panel before they are cleared to preach in public. Those who fail to comply risk sanctions, including being barred from conducting religious activities.

“All religious preachers must obtain a licence before preaching in public. This is to ensure order, security, and harmony within the state,” Farooq stated.

Reports indicate that the screening process will begin with Muslim clerics before extending to Christian preachers. Authorities say the regulation applies across all faiths and is not targeted at any particular group.

The policy has already sparked mixed reactions, with some religious leaders and civil society groups welcoming the move as a way to curb hate speech and extremism, while others argue it could infringe on freedom of religion.

Niger joins other states in northern Nigeria that have implemented similar laws to regulate religious preaching.