The Niger State government has banned any form of religious preaching in the state and ordered anyone who wants to preach to obtain a licence.

The Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, confirmed the ban on Thursday and said any preacher who wants to preach must obtain a licence.

He disclosed that preachers have between today and the next two months to obtain their licences.

“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.

“All they need to do is to visit our office, get, and fill out the form. After which, they will have to face a panel that will screen them before they can start preaching,” Farooq said.

The Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bashir Yankuzo, who reacted to the ban, said the government cannot stop preaching.

“My opinion is that preaching is a command. The government is not paying anyone for doing the job; people are preaching in order to earn the pleasure of God. So, the government cannot dictate who to preach to and who not to preach.