Arewa Times

In the appointment of Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi as the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), stakeholders roundly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the choice of this astute and result-oriented energy expert and policy strategist, a visionary administrator.

The saying that a golden fish has no hiding place aptly qualifies Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi’s appointment by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who was able to spot the energy poster boy and place him strategically where competence meets passion.

Indeed, the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi as the Director General of the Energy Commission qualifies the saying of putting a round peg in a round hole.

Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi who combines academic distinction with hands-on experience in energy systems, regulation, and innovation, has variously been described by stakeholders as a key figure in shaping Nigeria’s energy future, scoring a vital point in the Renewed Hope Initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which clearly aims to resuscitate and reinvigorate the country’s energy sector.

As an avid scholar who holds a master’s and a doctorate in Engineering from the prestigious University of Manchester who has also served as a Research Associate and Teaching Assistant in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil Engineering in same institution, Dr. Abdullahi’s penchant for excellence is distinctive and highly commendable.

As a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE), Dr. Abdullahi has distinguished himself in ways so uncommon and achievements quite alluring. His commitment to professional excellence and technical innovation underscores his capacity and capabilities in delivering on the mandate of the Energy Sector and the Commission generally.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, from 2021 to 2023, Dr. Abdullahi conducted an impactful research entitled “Assessment of the Structural Integrity,” contributing valuable insights to the field. His work was recognized and supported by the Industry Collaboration Fund, United Kingdom, highlighting his commitment to advancing knowledge through industry-academia collaboration.

Dr. Abdullahi has over 14 years of experience in Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly within the oil and gas industry and is known to have spent a significant part of his career at the Department of Petroleum Resources (now the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission – NUPRC), contributing to regulatory policy, energy systems management, and sustainability initiatives.

His technical competence is further complemented by his role at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), where he engaged in research and development at the intersection of space and energy technology.

Before being appointed as Director-General of ECN, Dr. Abdullahi served as the Senior Technical Adviser to the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji. In that capacity, he was instrumental in shaping national policies that promoted innovation, renewable energy adoption, and scientific advancement.

His advisory role provided strategic direction for programmes aimed at building Nigeria’s technological capacity in line with global sustainability trends.

He is widely reputed to be a multi-disciplinary leader, with a systems-thinking approach to Nigeria’s energy challenges, integrating insights from engineering, space research, and policy.

Since assuming office as Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria ECN in 2023, keen observers say his leadership at the Commission is anchored in collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and a strong commitment to energy transition and security.

Dr. Abdullahi is focused on delivering sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven energy solutions that support national development goals and align with international climate commitments.

Asides from his professional and academic accomplishments, he is also active in the politics of his country, Nigeria. He is a founding member and co-convener of The Asiwaju Group (TAG), one of the leading support groups for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also having served as Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress United Kingdom (APC UK) chapter, he is also an Executive Member of the APC UK since February 2014.

As a committed and loyal party chieftain, Abdullahi’s political engagements include membership in the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) 2023, the APC PCC Nigeria Strategic Communication Committee (2019), and the APC National Convention Sub-Committee (2022).

He is widely respected for his integrity, strategic vision, and passion for sustainable development. His dynamic experience across sectors positions him as a transformative leader at the helm of Nigeria’s energy transition journey.

A peek into his two years stint as the Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria ECN reveals amazing achievements such as:

(2025)
Implementation of the Renewed Hope Solarization Project for the provision of 2 MW of a solar hybrid system in 37 universities and 37 tertiary hospitals across the 36 states and Abuja.
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Energy Engineering Corporation to boost renewable energy and address Nigeria’s energy challenges by establishing State Energy Planning Implementation Units in all the 36 states in Nigeria.
Signed an agreement with LONGI a China solar module manufacturer to establish a manufacturing plant of their new solar panel technology in Nigeria.
Launched the Compendium on Industrial Energy Efficiency Policies with the collaboration of UNIDO and GEF.
Commissioned a Hybrid 5 kilowatts solar-powered Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station.
Promotion of clean cooking and obtaining a Patent for developing a Hexagonal Type Domestic Charcoal Stove for improved thermal efficiency.
Signed an MOU with a Chinese company to establish a Lithium battery production plant in Nigeria.

(2024)
Launched the newly gazette National Energy Policy (NEP) and National Energy Master Plan (NEMP) by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Establishment of a 10MW Solar PV Module Production Assembly Plant at Enugu Research Centre.
Development of Pyrolysis Machine for Hydrogen Generation at Bauchi Research Centre.
Establishment of a Pilot Bioethanol Plant with Fractional Distillation Unit at Benin Research Centre.
Development of Pilot Integrated Modular Refinery at Bauchi Research Centre.
The Energy Commission of Nigeria in collaboration with the FMIST on Implementation of the National Policy on Methanol Fuel Production from Gas.
Launch of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for air conditioners in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, United for Efficiency initiative, and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.
Launched a Computerized National Energy Information System website in Collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission.
Establishment of a Pilot Green Hydrogen Plant as a policy target of domestication and localization of Green Energy in the country.
Establishment of Barefoot Renewable Energy College in Kogi State.
The Energy Commission of Nigeria’s participation as the National Focal point at the Brazil G20 2024 Energy Transitions Working Group Meetings to negotiate and endorse Principles for Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions.
Launched the implementation of the project titled ‘Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Obsolete Refrigerators and Air Conditioners Equipment (AGORA) in Nigeria with the collaboration of UNDP and UNEP.
The Nigeria Energy and Emission Pathway Calculator 2050 (NECAL 2050) (2024) Comprehensive Energy Audit for the University of Lagos, Akoka carried out by National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation.
Designed, Constructed and Installed Two (2) 5kW Wind Turbines located at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), Sokoto State.

(2023)
Design and development of the 24-CUP Pelton Wheel Single-Jet Small Hydropower Turbine System and the Split Cup Pelton Wheel Two-Jet Small Hydropower Turbine System by NACHRED, University of Ilorin.
Design, Construction and Testing energy-efficient biomass Cookstoves by National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Development of Small, Medium and Commercial scale Solar Powered Chicken Brooding systems.

These achievements of Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi have been variously described as the footprints of a man of greatness, vision and exemplary leadership, deserving of commendation.

Politics is about ideas, not impunity. Law-breaking has no place in democracy. Words glorifying illegality sabotages democracy.

By Aminu Hussaini Sagagi

A single sentence, sharpened into a threat, can be the match that lights a tinderbox. That danger is not hypothetical in Kano. Recent public outbursts credited to Garba Kore – a well-known media influencer and a close associate of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje – in which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is said to be willing to “go to any extent,” including breaking the law, to reclaim Kano from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have been widely reported and have predictably set off alarm bells across the state and beyond.

His comments were not idle words. Kano has been the epicentre of bitter partisan contestation since 2023, when the NNPP wrested the governorship from the then ruling APC after a combative and polarising campaign.

The by-elections, defections and seat reclaims that followed – including the recent manipulated APC victory in the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency – show how high the political temperature remains. When influential voices signal that legal limits can be discarded for political gain, they undermine the fragile rules that keep that heat from boiling over.

Why incendiary rhetoric matters? Experts have repeatedly warned that inflammatory political rhetoric heightens the risk of violence, especially in places where identity and political rivalry overlap. In fragile contexts, statement to “go to any extent, including breaking the law” are perceived as licences for extralegal action – from vote-rigging and intimidation to the mobilisation of thugs or deployment of complicit security agents – and can easily spiral into chaos.

The regional risk – The fallout will not stop in Kano. The Northwest is tightly interconnected by kinship, trade, and shared media networks; what happens in Kano echoes in Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, and beyond. A single violent episode could inflame old grievances and turn a political contest into a regional crisis. That is why, Garba Kore’s inflammatory words on taking over Kano State at all cost risk sparking Northwest Regional unrest.

Trust in democracy at stake – Democracy is not just about ballots; it rests on a shared belief in the rule of law. When politicians and their associates publicly boast about breaking laws to gain power, they corrode that belief. Citizens lose faith in elections and start to see force, not votes, as the path to justice. That is the death of democracy by a thousand reckless words.

A plea for anchor points – Responsible leadership demands restraint and accountability. Those who command influence, political operatives, party leaders, and media voices must retract, clarify, and apologise for inflammatory statements. If a remark was a careless exaggeration, withdraw it; if it was a genuine threat, law enforcement must step in. Security agencies must not remain silent. They must investigate, caution, and, where necessary, prosecute anyone inciting lawlessness or undermining public order. This is not about partisanship, it is about protecting the peace and upholding the Constitution.

Who pays the cost? — Ordinary Kano citizens do. Traders, farmers, students, and families will be the first to pay through lost livelihoods, fear and fractured communities. The short-term prize of “reclaiming power” cannot justify the long-term ruin of peace and trust.

The closing warning — Politics is a contest of ideas, not impunity. Parties have every right to campaign, contest and litigate – but none to declare law-breaking an option. In a nation still learning to walk the democratic path, words that glorify illegality are acts of sabotage against the people’s will.

Action now: Retract, reaffirm, and enforce. Political actors must withdraw reckless claims, party leaders must publicly reject calls for lawlessness, and law enforcement must take decisive, impartial action against anyone (including the privileged and protected rabble-rouser, Kore) whose words or actions endanger public peace. Institutions must stand firm. The alternative to this is grim – deepening distrust, recurring violence, and a democracy hollowed out from within.

Garba Kore’s unchecked threats on Kano State are capable of sparking instability in Northwest. His outbursts are like words on fire and the dangerous rhetorics risks inflaming regional instability.

This opinion piece was contributed by Barrister Aminu Hussaini Sagagi, Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Kano State AKY, on Justice/Constitutional Matters.

Kaje Umoru

In a remarkable show of compassion and leadership, Comr. Jerry Adams, Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) and the Jagaban Moro’a, has sponsored a humanitarian intervention to support victims of the recent flood disaster in Kaura Local Government Area.

Over the weekend, relief efforts supported by Mr. Adams provided both financial assistance and essential agricultural inputs, including Instant Grow Organic Fertilizer, to farmers whose livelihoods were devastated by the floods.

His timely response has been hailed as a shining example of empathy-driven leadership and commitment to community upliftment.

The gesture formed part of a broader effort to help affected farmers recover and return to productive activity.

One of the key partners in the initiative, the CEO of Sustainable Organic Innovations, Mr. Samuel Ateh Stephen, expressed gratitude for being part of the exercise.

“This outreach aligns perfectly with our mission to make high-performing organic fertilizers accessible and affordable for people at the grassroots. Seeing our Instant Grow Organic Fertilizer contribute to a recovery effort that restores hope to farming families is both humbling and inspiring,” he stated.

The company emphasized that every bag of fertilizer distributed represents more than improved crop yield — it symbolizes resilience, empowerment, and renewed hope for farming communities.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State has suspended its State Chairman, Elder Patrick Ambut, and State Secretary, Mr. Victor Oluwatuyi, over allegations of anti-party activities, gross misconduct, and violation of the party’s constitution.

In a statement issued on Monday by the State Publicity Secretary, Engr. Idris Musa, the party said the suspension followed a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) convened after receiving petitions from the Igabi and Sabon Gari Local Government Chairmen, as well as complaints from other local chapters.

According to the statement, the suspended officials were accused of engaging in acts capable of causing disaffection among members, creating parallel party organs, and breaching several provisions of the ADC Constitution (2022 as amended).

The ADC also disclosed that it received a letter from the Kaduna State Police Command confirming an ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal removal of the Igabi Local Government Chairman, involving both suspended officials.

“The Chairman’s undemocratic disposition and selective relationship with State Working Committee members, coupled with his poor leadership style, contravene Articles 7(8 & 11) and 20(1b) of the ADC Constitution,” the statement said.

The party further accused Ambut and Oluwatuyi of running the Kaduna ADC like a “secret cult,” making unilateral decisions without due consultation or reference to the State Working Committee, and undermining the principles of transparency, accountability, and rule of law for personal gain.

To restore order and preserve the integrity of the party, the State Working Committee resolved to: suspend Elder Patrick Ambut and Mr. Victor Oluwatuyi pending the conclusion of investigations, and constitute a five-man Disciplinary Committee to probe the allegations and make recommendations.

The SWC, however, appointed Hon. Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, the Deputy State Chairman, as Acting State Chairman, and Mrs. Rachael Didams as Acting State Secretary.

The statement added that the decision was necessary to uphold the ADC’s values and allow the disciplinary process to proceed without interference.

“The suspension is aimed at protecting the integrity of the party and ensuring due process in line with our constitution,” the statement concluded.

opposition in Kano are into excessive propaganda, pushing people into seeing shadows instead of substance, hearing noise instead of development. But the truth cannot be hidden. History will not remember the propaganda; it will remember the projects, the reforms, and the opportunities created under the administration of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”
By Aminu Hussaini Sagagi
In Kano today, we are witnessing a familiar political drama. Whenever real progress is being made—whenever leaders roll up their sleeves to serve the people—there are always those who cannot stand to see it happen.
They resort to propaganda—loud, misleading, and divisive. Sadly, this has become the favoured tool of the opposition against the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf (AKY).
Instead of offering constructive criticism, they prefer to manufacture noise. They twist facts, amplify half-truths, and spread stories designed to inflame emotions.
Their aim is simple: to turn public attention away from the positive transformation taking place in Kano under AKY’s leadership. They want citizens distracted, confused, and doubtful—because that is the only way they can remain relevant.
But let us be honest: who truly benefits from propaganda? Certainly not the ordinary Kano indigenes trying to put food on the table, send children to school, or get medical care when sick.
Propaganda benefits only a small circle of political actors desperate to capture power, even if it costs tearing down the State’s image in the process.
Look around Kano, despite the noise, unprecedented number of projects are being executed. Take Rahma, a final-year student in one of our public secondary schools; she used to sit in overcrowded classrooms with leaking roofs, but today, after rehabilitation works by AKY’s government her school has standard furniture, a safer learning environment, and well-motivated teachers. For Rahma, progress is not a rumor—it is a reality.
Or consider Musa and Emmanuel, traders in Sabon Gari market who remember how bad roads used to make transporting their merchandise a nightmare. Now, with new roads and drainages projects opening up their areas, their businesses are thriving. That is the kind of development propaganda cannot hide.
And what about Khadija, a mother of three who once feared going to public hospitals because they lacked basic facilities? Today, she walks into a revitalized healthcare center where she can get treatment without begging for help. For her, the difference is life-saving.
Yet, the opposition would rather distract you to forget these stories. They push you into seeing shadows instead of substance, hearing noise instead of development. But the truth cannot be hidden; a rehabilitated school speaks louder than a false headline; a functioning hospital is weightier than a fabricated rumor.
Kano people must not allow themselves to be used as pawns in a propaganda war.
No matter how loud the opposition shouts, the good people of Kano must stand firm and say loudly and unanimously – nay to distractions!
We must rise above the distractions and judge by results, not by rhetoric.
Leadership is about service, and service is exactly what AKY is delivering in Kano.
History will not remember the propaganda; it will remember the projects, the reforms, and the opportunities created under this administration.
That is why, no matter how loud the opposition shouts, the good people of Kano must stand firm and say loudly and unanimously – nay to distractions!
Kano’s future is too important to be toyed with. The focus should remain on progress, and progress is exactly what Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is bringing to the State.
This opinion piece is contributed by Barr. Aminu Hussaini Sagagi, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Justice/Constitutional Matters

By: Luka Binniyat

Very few care to know that Boko Haram, largely constituted by the Kanuri ethnic group, is in fact a resurgence of the ancient Kanem-Borno Jihad against non-Muslim tribal groups west and southwest of its former empire.
The early rulers of Kanem-Borno (the Mai) had embraced Islam as far back as the 11th century AD. Thatn is nearly seven centuries before Usman dan Fodio’s Fulani Jihad of 1804–1810.
In their bid to expand their empire and spread Islam to the ancient indigenous communities now found in Southern Borno, Adamawa, and Gombe, grave atrocities were committed against native populations.

Yet, many of these peoples showed remarkable resilience. Using their rugged terrains and indomitable fighting spirit, they fiercely defended their independence.

The expansionist campaign reached its height between 1573 and 1603, under the reign of Mai Idris Aloma, though he merely intensified the brutal incursions of his predecessors.

All men of honour, dignity, and love of liberty must salute those brave ancestors who fought gallantly to preserve the identity, culture, and territorial rights of today’s generation.
Curiously, the Fulani Jihad later attempted to overrun Kanem-Borno in 1808, when Goni Mukhtar led Dan Fodio’s jihadist army to attack Ngazargamu, the capital of the Borno Empire. Had it not been for the intervention of Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi, a Shuwa Arab commander from the Chad region, Usman dan Fodio might have successfully annexed the Kanuri into the Sokoto Caliphate.

It is also important to note that during Dan Fodio’s lifetime, his Caliphate largely conquered Hausa lands and city-states. His main foot soldiers were Hausa converts, along with other few non-Hausa and non-Fulani who had converted to Islam.

Thus, the historic rivalry between the Kanuri on one side and the Hausa-Fulani on the other stems from what the Kanuri perceive as an affront and a challenge to their older Islamic heritage, which predated the Fulani Jihad by centuries.

Sadly, despite the glory of these two great Islamic states, the British conquered Borno in 1902 and Sokoto in 1903. The colonial powers then subdued and subjugated the smaller ethnic nations that neither empire could conquer. In a cruel twist, handed them over to their historical foes through indirect rule.

I write this article to remind us that it is almost forgotten that the Kanuri were the first to launch a jihad against other ethnic nationalities to the west and south of their empire. And no jihadist expedition is ever a picnic. It is savagery at its worst, as witnessed today in the barbarity of the new jihadists ravaging Central Nigeria and other regions.

What Boko Haram represents today is a revival of the ancient Kanuri jihad in the North-East, just as the Fulani armed militias are resurrecting the Usman dan Fodio jihad. Both movements spare neither Muslims who are not Kanuri or Hausa, nor non-Muslims, on whom they unleash far greater cruelty.

That is why it is baffling when some comfortable Muslim leaders and compromised Christian leaders try to deny or downplay the genocide being committed by these groups against other ethnic nationalities.

Christians in the affected Middle Belt regions are facing existential threats, thier lands taken away and their outcry against evil should not silence Muslims who are also facing genocidal violence elsewhere in Northern Nigeria.

Genocide, whether perpetrated against Christians or Muslims, must stand utterly condemned.
It is a shameful tragedy that some notable voices still choose to suppress the truth.
…………………………………….
Luka Binniyat is a journalist, social commentator and a human rights activist. He writes from Zamandabo village, Zangon Kataf LGA in Southern kaduna

@highlight @followers

The Federal Government of Nigeria has concluded a strategic partnership through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) with the world’s largest solar panel production company, LONGi, in Xi’an, Shaanxi, China.

The Nigerian delegation, led by the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, was received by LONGi’s President, Boshen Zhong, and Vice President, Li Wenxue. The team was taken on a tour of one of the world’s largest solar cell production facilities. This visit follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ECN and LONGi in London earlier this year.

Dr. Abdullahi, during the visit, advanced discussions on the establishment of a 500–1000 MW solar panel production factory in Nigeria — a move set to significantly boost the nation’s renewable energy sector.

The ECN presentation highlighted Africa’s growing market and the increasing demand for solar mini-grids while emphasizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Solarisation Policy, which seeks to accelerate access to clean energy across Nigeria.

LONGi expressed strong interest in investing in Nigeria and demonstrated readiness to move forward with concrete plans for the construction of the factory. The partnership marks a historic milestone for Nigeria’s renewable energy landscape and aligns with national efforts to expand local solar manufacturing capacity.

The ECN, under the leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha, is working to ensure Nigerians enjoy improved electricity access. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to the Renewed Hope Initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, pledging to work closely with LONGi and the Federal Government to realize this transformative project, which will create jobs, enhance energy security, and drive sustainable development across the country.

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has described Governor Peter Mbah’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strategic and welcome development for the South East region, saying the move would strengthen the zone’s position in Nigeria’s mainstream political structure.

Reacting to public criticisms that trailed the Enugu State governor’s decision, Sani said Mbah’s defection should not be seen as an act of betrayal but rather as a bold step to rescue the South East from political isolation and irrelevance at the federal level.

Speaking with journalists shortly after attending the United Africa Development Initiative Summit held at Merit House, Abuja, Senator Sani stated:“Governor Mbah’s defection to the APC is a blessing to the South Eastern part of the country. It is a strategic decision that will factor the region into the mainstream political equation in Nigeria.”

The former senator argued that those accusing the governor of betrayal were being unfair, noting that members of the Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) had also defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past.

“Why should LP and ADC members be angry with a PDP member who joined the APC when many of them also left the PDP earlier? Politics is about alignment and strategy, not sentiment,” he stated.

Sani further maintained that Mbah’s defection would open new political opportunities for the South East, saying it had “raised the chances of the region rather than diminished them.”

Describing the move metaphorically, he added:“Mbah’s defection is like taking the goods of the South East to a bigger market where the action is.”

He, therefore, urged political leaders and stakeholders in the region to rally around the governor and use his new platform to push for greater inclusion, development, and representation at the national level.

To a Dedicated CEO, a Vibrant and Incurable Optimist, a Visionary Leader, and a True Humanitarian,

It is both an honor and a privilege to witness how your visionary leadership and boundless creativity continue to shape the future of our great company. Your energy, optimism, and sense of purpose inspire everyone around you to reach higher and dream bigger.

As you celebrate this remarkable milestone, I wish you many more years of happiness, divine health, and enduring success. May this new decade overflow with unbounded creativity, monumental achievements, and lasting fulfillment for you and all your partners around the world.

In just forty years, you have accomplished so much — yet the best is still ahead. You’ve turned trials into triumphs, obstacles into opportunities, and lemons into the sweetest lemonade of progress. Indeed, greatness is not measured by what one achieves, but by the challenges one overcomes — and you have exemplified that truth in every sense.

As you turn 40 today, I join the host of Heaven and countless well-wishers across the globe in celebrating the precious gift that God has given humanity through you. May your star continue to shine ever brighter, and may the glory of God rest upon you as you begin another journey around the sun.

Happy 40th Birthday!
You are truly incredible — a friend, a leader, and an inspiration to us all.

With heartfelt wishes,
Shedy Oka and Family

Mike Odeh James

KADUNA

— Northern Nigeria’s Baptist community has sent ripples through both the political and spiritual corridors of power. At the close of their 65th Annual Ministers’ Conference in Kaduna, church leaders released a bold communiqué that intertwined global diplomacy with domestic accountability — rejecting a U.S. move to label Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” while urging their millions of members to rise from the pews and engage politically.

Held from October 6 to 10, 2025, at the Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna, the conference gathered pastors and representatives of more than four million Baptists across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. The theme — “The Authority of Scripture and the Mission of the Church in Troubled Times” — set the tone for a week of reflection, rebuke, and resolve.

Balancing Diplomacy and Security

In one of its most consequential pronouncements, the communiqué acknowledged that Christians in Nigeria face “persecution, not only through killings but also through discrimination based on faith.” Yet it cautioned against the U.S. Senate’s proposal to reclassify Nigeria under the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list, warning that such a move could “worsen insecurity and hinder access to critical defense support.”

The statement argued that rather than helping persecuted Christians, the designation could “embolden terrorists and weaken the state’s ability to protect its citizens.” It urged Washington and other global partners to pursue “constructive and collaborative engagement,” emphasizing joint efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against insurgency and violent crime.

For the Baptist leaders, Nigeria’s crisis is not merely a religious one but a “national security failure” demanding cooperation, not confrontation.

From the Pulpit to the Polls

If their external message was measured diplomacy, their internal call was fire and thunder. In perhaps the most striking section of the communiqué, the ministers declared that it was no longer enough for Christians to pray for change — they must vote for it.

Obtaining a Permanent Voter Card (PVC), they said, is now both a civic and moral obligation. The church charged pastors to “mobilize their congregations” ahead of the 2027 general elections, framing political participation as an act of faith.

“The Church must promote righteousness in governance,” the communiqué urged, insisting that Christians must not retreat into passivity while corruption and injustice thrive.

This self-examination also came with internal rebuke. The leaders lamented “the silence of some church leaders in the face of moral decay,” warning that such quietude “erodes the Church’s prophetic witness.” They called ministers to “speak truth to power with courage and wisdom,” reaffirming the Church’s identity as “the conscience of the nation and a voice for the voiceless.”

Even within church culture, the statement demanded reform. It condemned “extravagant and financially burdensome weddings and burials” that oppress families and distract from spiritual values — a plea for moderation rooted in biblical teaching.

A Nation in Pain

Turning outward again, the conference painted a grim picture of daily life across Northern Nigeria, where “banditry, insurgency, and unemployment have destroyed livelihoods and broken communities.” While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for “efforts toward unity and improved security coordination,” the leaders urged deeper moral leadership.

They demanded that government “lead with the fear of God,” adopt “people-centered economic policies,” and “prioritize human welfare above political interests.”

Throughout, the communiqué anchored every message — from politics to poverty — on the unshakable authority of Scripture.

The Final Word

Signed by Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of the Seminary’s Board of Governors, and Rev. Dr. Mannaseh Panpe, Acting President, the document reads like both a sermon and a manifesto — a call to conscience in a country wrestling with faith, fear, and the future.

In rejecting foreign condemnation while demanding domestic repentance, the Northern Baptists have positioned themselves as moral navigators in Nigeria’s storm — urging believers to wield both the Bible and the ballot as instruments of transformation.

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