Opinion
Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Beyond Religious Elites and Political Agendas
By Felix Samari, Abuja
In recent years, the issue of religious freedom in Nigeria has gained international attention, often prompting foreign governments—especially the United States—to evaluate the country’s status regarding Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Religious freedom violations in Nigeria occur in various forms, some deliberate and others unintentional. Often, individuals or institutions engage in discrimination without recognizing it as a violation of fundamental rights.
For instance, a highly qualified teacher may be denied employment at a school because their faith differs from that of the institution’s majority. Such a decision may stem from an ingrained fear that an outsider’s beliefs could influence students, even when the candidate’s professional competence is unquestionable.
Beyond such workplace discrimination, there is a broader climate of religious unwelcomeness that permeates various aspects of Nigerian society. Religious minorities frequently find themselves excluded from key social and economic opportunities. However, these realities are rarely the focus of discussions led by Christian and Muslim religious leaders, who dominate the FoRB discourse both locally and internationally.
It is often claimed that Nigeria is on the brink of religious domination—either by Islamization or Christian evangelization. Such claims, however, fail to acknowledge the competitive nature of religious influence in the country. Both Islam and Christianity wield significant power and enjoy government-backed privileges, including state-funded pilgrimages, the allocation of land for places of worship, and religious programs on public media.
While Christians express concerns about a supposed agenda to “Islamize” Nigeria, Christian evangelism aggressively extends to every corner of the country. Churches, billboards, and loudspeakers amplify Christian messages in predominantly Muslim areas, just as Islamic preachers do the same in Christian-majority zones. Meanwhile, smaller religious groups—such as traditional worshippers or atheists—struggle for recognition and protection under the same legal and social frameworks.
One of the most glaring issues with how the international community addresses religious freedom in Nigeria is its reliance on the perspectives of religious elites. Western policymakers often engage with well-established church leaders or Islamic clerics who frame their communities as perpetual victims. This narrow approach overlooks the diverse experiences of everyday Nigerians who face religious discrimination without the backing of powerful institutions.
Consider the recent case in Sokoto State, where gunmen abducted worshippers from a mosque. Had this been a church, international media would have reacted with much greater urgency. This discrepancy highlights the selective attention given to certain religious groups while ignoring the broader security and humanitarian crises affecting all Nigerians, regardless of faith.
Religious conversion is a right. People are free to become Christians, Muslims, or follow any other belief system. However, the failure of religious leaders in Nigeria goes beyond conversion battles. Instead of using their influence to promote unity and development, many have fueled division, fostering distrust among religious groups.
While religion remains a central force in Nigerian society, it should not overshadow more pressing national concerns. Economic instability, poor governance, and security challenges affect Nigerians across religious lines. Yet, these systemic issues receive far less attention than religious grievances in public discourse.
If the United States and other international bodies genuinely want to address religious freedom violations in Nigeria, they must go beyond consulting religious elites. A more comprehensive approach should involve direct engagement with affected communities, independent investigations, and objective assessments of FoRB violations. No single religious group possesses the power or resources to impose a national faith on Nigeria’s diverse population of over 220 million people.
It is time for global actors to recognize that Nigeria’s challenges extend beyond religious identity. By shifting their focus to structural injustices, economic inequalities, and governance failures, they will better understand the true obstacles to religious freedom—and, more importantly, contribute to lasting solutions.
*Samari, a FoRB trainer based in Abuja, Nigeria, coordinates media projects focused on Freedom of Religion or Belief.*
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Opinion
Is Nigeria Becoming A Failed State Under President Tinubu?
By Gbenga Shaba
Nigeria is currently at one of the most troubling security crossroads in its history. The scale and frequency of violent attacks, mass abductions, territorial infiltration by bandits and terror groups, and the collapse of safety in many communities have raised serious questions about the capacity of the state to protect its citizens. com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Across the northern region, the wave of kidnappings and attacks has forced governments to take drastic measures. Katsina State ordered the immediate closure of all government schools. Taraba State directed that all secondary schools should operate only as day schools. These decisions were not made out of convenience. They were made out of fear. They were made because students have become targets, and schools have become vulnerable grounds. Education, the foundation of national development, is now under threat.
In recent weeks, the scale of kidnappings has escalated sharply. In Niger State, 34 students and three teachers were abducted from a government secondary school. They spent several days in captivity, enduring harsh conditions with limited food and water. Negotiations for their release were tense, with parents and authorities working tirelessly to secure their safe return. In Kebbi State, more than 40 children and 10 staff members were abducted from a private academy. The victims described being blindfolded, bundled into vehicles, and transported through forested areas under armed guard. In several other incidents across Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina, hundreds of men, women, and children have been taken in separate attacks, some held for weeks before rescue or ransom payments were made.
As if that was not enough, just few hours ago, some residents of Isapa in Kwara were abducted. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children were allegedly abducted.
The ordeal for these children and their families is traumatic. Parents live in constant fear of the next attack, and even when children are rescued, they often return home in shock and fear. Many students have developed anxiety about returning to school, and communities are traumatized, with the memories of abduction and violence lingering long after the victims are freed.
Even more worrying is the deepening culture of ransom payments. Reports indicate that over ₦1 billion has been paid to bandits in recent weeks alone. This alarming trend not only empowers criminal networks but also signals the state’s weakening control. When kidnappers see consistent payouts from the government or local authorities, it encourages further attacks, creating a vicious cycle of fear and extortion.
This raises a critical question: Is Nigeria drifting toward a failed state under the current administration?
A country moves toward failure when the government can no longer protect its citizens, secure its borders, enforce laws, provide essential services, and maintain public confidence. Judged by these indicators, Nigeria is showing many worrying signs. The strength of non-state armed groups is rising. Large parts of the country are becoming ungoverned spaces. Communities are living under constant fear. Schools are shutting down. Businesses are relocating. Farmers are abandoning their fields. Ordinary Nigerians no longer trust the state to safeguard their lives.
President Tinubu came into office with promises of firm action on security. Nearly two years later, the practical reality suggests that insecurity is expanding faster than the response to it. Despite efforts by the security agencies, violent groups remain active and resilient. The lives of citizens are increasingly threatened, and the confidence in government’s capacity to reverse the trend is weakening.
It is therefore understandable when analysts conclude that the government is failing in the area of security. Citizens like Deacon Olanrewaju have voiced what many Nigerians feel: children are now staying at home not because of a pandemic but because of fear. Communities are shutting down not because of a virus but because of terror. The country is experiencing a form of paralysis driven by violence and fear.
Just like COVID-19, insecurity is gradually locking Nigeria down.
During the COVID era, movement was restricted, economic activities were disrupted, and schools were forced to close. Today, Nigeria is witnessing the same pattern, but the cause is not a global disease. It is insecurity. Communities are avoiding travel. States are closing schools. Businesses are shrinking their operations. Citizens live indoors once the sun sets. The sense of national freedom is shrinking under the weight of fear.
Nigeria may not yet be officially classified as a failed state, but the signs are becoming too visible to ignore. Without urgent, intelligent, and coordinated action, the country risks sliding deeper into a security crisis that will be harder to reverse.
Just like Simon Kolawole recalls what President Bola Tinubu said years ago. I recall that on November 5, 2014, in Ilorin, Kwara State, at a rally organised by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to declare his second-term bid, the APC leaders spoke one after the other about insecurity in Nigeria. Among those in attendance were Gen Muhammadu Buhari, then a presidential aspirant, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, also an aspirant, Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal, then speaker of the house of reps, and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, then the APC spokesman. Tinubu, who was the national leader of the party, said I saw the sea of refugees caused by the Boko Haram insurgents and the lies coming from Jonathan’s administration. They have exhibited failure, lack of capacity, vision and creativity.
He went further. The lies of yesterday are what they repeat today and are what they will repeat tomorrow. If you control the armed forces and you are the Commander-in-Chief, why should any part of this country be under occupation? And you give us excuses every day. In any civilised country, Jonathan should have resigned. But if he will not resign, he should wait for our broom. We will sweep him away.
They swept Jonathan away. But here we are, a decade later.
Tinubu is now the Commander-in-Chief, but Nigeria remains under siege. We could poke fun at the APC today and say they are only getting a dose of their own medicine. But it is human lives, the lives of Nigerians, that we are talking about here. We are talking about a reign of terror, about helpless Nigerians being abducted, about hapless Nigerians being killed for fun. If nothing else, it should make us sober. If nothing else, we should learn from our past and put politics aside regarding matters of security.
This is the moment for honest reflection and decisive leadership. What Nigeria faces today is not just a temporary challenge. It is a test of the state’s ability to protect its people and preserve its sovereignty. The longer this insecurity wave continues, the closer the nation moves toward the edge of failure.
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Opinion
#Ebinpawa: Nigerians Decry Tinubu’s Anti-social Policies, Ask — Can Awolowo Ever Do This?
By Gbenga Shaba
When Nigerians coined the hashtag #Ebinpawa, it wasn’t just a joke. It was a cry of exhaustion, a desperate lament from citizens stretched beyond survival. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 15% fuel import duty has now become another wound on a people already bleeding from endless reforms that punish instead of protection. js">
Between Reform and Ruin: A People Betrayed
Tinubu’s administration calls it reform, a path to fiscal recovery. But for millions of Nigerians, these policies feel more like a betrayal than a rebirth. Every new “economic adjustment” digs deeper into the pockets of those who have nothing left to give.
Since the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, prices have spiralled. Now, this 15% duty on imported fuel adds insult to injury. The government promises a stronger economy, but all Nigerians see is a weaker household.
The Human Cost: Ordinary Nigerians Paying the Price
For the average Nigerian, economics isn’t theory, it’s ’s breakfast, transport, and rent. A man who once spent ₦2,000 on daily transport now spends ₦3,000. The food vendor pays double for cooking gas. The barber struggles to afford petrol for his generator.
Farmers face rising costs for diesel, while small business owners can barely keep the lights on. Survival has become a privilege. Behind every statistic of “growth” lies a story of human deprivation, children pulled from school, meals skipped, dreams deferred.
Taxing Misery in the Name of Reform
The tragedy of Tinubu’s economic policy lies not just in its impact but in its intent. Governance has become a numbers and citizens reduced to economic data points.
Fuel, a basic necessity, is treated like a luxury item to be taxed. The government calls it “fiscal prudence,” but it’s closer to moral blindness. A system that balances books by breaking backs is not reforming. It’s exploiting.
When you tax misery, you create resentment. When you justify it as reform, you lose empathy.
The Politics of Pain
Let’s not pretend this 15% duty is merely economic, it’s deeply political. It reflects a government that preaches sacrifice but practices inequality.
Powerful elites shield themselves from the consequences of policies they impose. Meanwhile, the masses are told to “tighten their belts,” as if hunger were an act of patriotism.
Tinubu’s rhetoric of “sacrifice for a better tomorrow” has lost meaning. When sacrifice becomes perpetual, it stops being patriotic, and it becomes institutionalized suffering.
Trump’s Stand on Genocide in Nigeria
Even across the Atlantic, voices are rising. U.S. President Donald Trump recently condemned the escalating violence in Nigeria, calling attention to what he described as “a slow-motion genocide” against Christians. His remarks have reignited international debate on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and the government’s selective silence.
While Nigerians battle economic hardship, they also live in fear of kidnappers, bandits, and religious extremists. Tinubu’s government can not claim reform while failing to protect its people. There’s no economic revival in a climate of fear and bloodshed.
A Nation at the Crossroads
The 15% fuel import duty is more than a fiscal measure — it’s a moral test of leadership. How much more can Nigerians endure in the name of reform? How long before survival replaces faith in governance?
Awolowo once said that “the worst crime is poverty in the midst of plenty.” Today, Nigerians live that reality — plenty promises, but empty plates.
The cries of #Ebinpawa are not just trending words; they are history being written in the language of pain. If leadership does not listen, the reform they call progress will become the ruin the people call betrayal.
What A True Progressive Would Have Done…
Progressives are known by their actions. They are not swayed by rhetorics. They don’t pass blames. They simply act!
Unlike what we are currently experiencing in Nigeria, true Progressives like Obafemi Awolowo’s emphasises on polices that focused on welfarism and modernization, most notably introducing free primary education and free healthcare for children under 18 in the Western Region. His administration also launched infrastructure projects like the first television station in Africa (WNTV) and established industrial initiatives, such as the Ikeja Industrial Estate and a cooperative to support cocoa farmers. He was a proponent of federalism, fiscal discipline, and using state resources for social and economic development.
He implemented universal free primary education in the Western Region, boosted literacy rates, and established new schools and teacher training colleges.
Introduced free healthcare for all children under the age of 18 and established a hospital in every administrative division.
He advocated for federalism, regional autonomy, and fiscal discipline, believing that education was crucial for national progress and that the government should invest resources in social services and development.
Awolowo would have put the people first and would have created some sort of soft landing to prevent the kind of deep hardship that has ruined so many businesses and livelihoods.
Today, the man leading us is claiming to be progressive but not in his actions and policies. Nigerians can no longer feed themselves. Out of school children are on the rise, insecurity is now the new national anthem, and the cost of living is now sending people to their graves. Nigerians are crying #Ebinpawa.
Gbenga Shaba, is a renowned journalist.
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Article
As FCC Under Omidiran Sets to Restore Fairness, Balance and National Unity
————From dormancy to destiny, the Renewed Hope Agenda finds its moral compass in fairness, inclusion, and credible leadership under Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Hon. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
For years, the FCC wrestled with bureaucratic inertia and dwindling public trust. It existed in structure but struggled in spirit. Nigerians watched with delight yesterday October 14 as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio read a letter from President Bola Tinubu requesting the senate to confirm Omidiran and 38 other commissioners. The needed confirmation serves as part of statutory requirements of the commission. With Omidiran’s pragmatic, purpose-driven leadership — and guided by President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda — the Commission will once again find its voice and vision.
With service driven 37 Commissioners drawn from every state and the FCT, the FCC will no longer be a dormant establishment; it will become a living conscience of equity, balance, and opportunity — a true reflection of Nigeria’s diversity and promise.
THE WOMAN REDEFINING FEDERAL CHARACTER
Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran stands at the intersection of integrity, intelligence, and inclusivity — a rare blend of competence and compassion. Twice elected to the House of Representatives (2011–2019), she earned national acclaim for her people-centered approach: delivering potable water, quality healthcare, scholarships, and empowerment programs that restored dignity to countless families.
Her politics is not one of noise, but of nurture; not of entitlement, but of empathy. Guided by the enduring principles of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Omidiran sees leadership as a moral obligation — “to feel the people’s pain and respond with purpose.”
Her story extends beyond politics. She made history as the first Nigerian woman to serve on the FIFA Women’s World Cup Organizing Committee, and as founder of Omidiran Babes FC, she built a generation of women who rose from obscurity to global recognition through sports. That same spirit of mentorship, teamwork, and excellence now defines her stewardship of the FCC.
Omidiran will lead not as a ruler, but as a reformer — building a team bound by trust, discipline, and shared vision. Under her watch, the FCC will no longer be an idle bureaucracy but a coalition of conscience — a collective mindset committed to making equity not an exception, but a standard.
RENEWED HOPE IN ACTION: OMIDIRAN’S BLUEPRINT FOR EQUITY
Under Omidiran’s visionary direction, the FCC is expected to transform into a model of transparency, digital efficiency, and moral accountability. With her commissioners she will introduce systems that prioritize merit, inclusion, and measurable impact, making the Commission a true guardian of justice in public service distribution.
Her guiding philosophy is clear and compelling:
“Fairness is not favoritism; it is balance.”
Every appointment, employment, and resource allocation must reflect both Nigeria’s federal diversity and her meritocratic spirit. In Omidiran’s FCC, representation will not be about tokenism — it is about trust. And every decision carries the weight of national responsibility.
This is the living embodiment of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda — a Nigeria rebuilt on fairness, inclusion, and credible leaders.
THE TEAM THAT MIRRORS NIGERIA’S UNITY IN DIVERSITY
Behind Omidiran stands a remarkable assembly of leaders — 37 Commissioners, each bringing integrity, intellect, and innovation from their respective states. They represent Nigeria’s mosaic of culture, competence, and conviction.
Together, they form a “coalition of conscience and competence”, a team designed not to preserve the old order, but to pioneer a new era of equitable governance.
From policy thinkers to administrators, human rights advocates to professionals, the Omidiran-led Commission embodies the Renewed Hope dream in motion — transforming ideals into institutions.
NORTHWEST: EXPERIENCE, STATESMANSHIP, AND STRUCTURAL DEPTH
Hon. Lawan Ya’u Roni (Jigawa State) stands as a pillar of institutional memory. With over 30 years of governance experience — from serving as Commissioner to Secretary to the State Government and Acting Governor — Roni brings tested wisdom to policy formulation and intergovernmental relations.
His mandate in Policy Coordination and Intergovernmental Synergy ensures that federal appointments and initiatives align seamlessly with state realities. His insight and steadiness anchor the FCC’s evolving reform structure, driving unity through understanding.
SOUTHWEST: PROFESSIONALISM, DISCIPLINE, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE
Hon. AbdulWasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah (Lagos State) is the archetype of administrative discipline. Having served as Chief of Staff to a Senator and Minister, and as a corporate executive in the U.S., he brings global precision to national service.
As head of Operational Efficiency and Ethics Oversight, Bawa-Allah is setting a new standard for institutional accountability. His leadership ensures that the FCC’s internal mechanisms reflect transparency, order, and ethical governance — making the Commission a model for other federal agencies.
SOUTHEAST: STRATEGIC THINKING, COORDINATION AND DIGITAL REFORM
Hon. Peter Eze (Enugu State) brings a refreshing blend of strategic intellect, youthful energy and innovation. An economist and policy strategist with international exposure, and a key contributor to the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Eze understands both leadership dynamics and national governance architecture.
Tasked with Research, Strategy, and Public Communication, he will spearhead the digital modernization of the FCC — ensuring transparency, data integrity, and accessible public information . His nomination signals a new generation of technocratic leadership, where ideas and integrity merge to serve the nation. Eze’s experience in public and private sector and commitment to FCC’s principles and objectives bodes well for the success of the commission
NORTHEAST: RESILIENCE, ADVOCACY, AND THE POWER OF INCLUSION
Mrs. Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa State) embodies the courage and tenacity of the Northeast. A seasoned banker, policy advocate, and community mobilizer, she has spent decades empowering women and youth in post-conflict communities.
She oversees Community Engagement and Gender Equity Initiatives, ensuring fairness transcends paper policy to touch real lives. Her approach is practical — equity that educates, empowers, and elevates. She represents the Renewed Hope spirit of rebuilding people, not just systems.
SOUTH-SOUTH: SERVICE, LEGISLATION, AND HUMANITARIAN IMPACT
Hon. Chief ( Barr) Lovette Ederin Idisi
exemplifies selfless service. A lawyer by profession and legislator with years of community impact, he has championed rural healthcare, education, and youth empowerment.
He leads Humanitarian Affairs and Social Impact, ensuring that fairness extends beyond employment into wellbeing. His model is fairness with a human face — a governance of compassion consistent with the Renewed Hope philosophy.
NORTH CENTRAL: BALANCE, VISION, AND SOCIAL COHESION
Hon. Halima Ahmadu Jabiru (Nasarawa State) combines administrative rigor with social empathy. Her extensive background in land administration, welfare coordination, and governance reform makes her a dependable voice for balanced development.
As head of Institutional Development and Social Cohesion Programs, she is driving equitable access to federal opportunities across the North Central region — ensuring that fairness is not abstract, but tangible. Her leadership bridges the gap between policy and people.
ONE COMMISSION, ONE NATION, ONE DESTINY
Under Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, the Federal Character Commission will no longer be bureaucratic relic; it will become the nation’s moral compass. Each Commissioner is not merely a representative of a state, but a custodian of the Nigerian dream — a dream where justice and opportunity are evenly shared.
Together, they personify the spirit of Renewed Hope — the belief that governance must mirror the nation’s diversity while uniting it under a common purpose. From Abuja to the remotest local council, their collective mandate is to ensure that no citizen is invisible, and no community is forgotten.
OUR VERDICT: THE FCC REBORN, NIGERIA REAWAKENED
The Federal Character Commission, once seen as dormant, has found its pulse again — firm, fair, and forward-looking.
Under Omidiran, it will no longer be an institution of routine; it is a movement of renewal — restoring confidence, credibility, and national cohesion.
With this credible and competent team of Commissioners, fairness is no longer a promise — it is policy; inclusion is no longer aspiration — it is action.
In the rebirth of the FCC, Nigeria rediscovers her essence — a nation bound not by tribe or tongue, but by trust, transparency, and shared destiny.
Written by Dr George Allwell , a Public Affairs Analyst and Promoter of good governance in Nigeria
October 15,2025
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