CSO Demands Equal Religious Freedom in Nigeria

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Faith and Freedom Africa (FFA), is championing the cause for the respect and protection of every Nigerian citizen’s right to freedom of religion and belief. The group stressed the need for inclusive tolerance at a one-day colloquium held in Jalingo, Taraba State, over the weekend.

The Country Coordinator for FFA, Felix Samari, led the advocacy, emphasizing the constitutional importance of recognizing and upholding the rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith. The event, themed “Freedom of Religious Beliefs (FoRB),” gathered a diverse mix of religious leaders, human rights activists, and community members to discuss tolerance and inclusion in the Nigerian context.

Dependable NG reports that citing Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, Samari explained that the town hall meeting is part of FFA’s ongoing efforts to promote peace, religious tolerance, and constitutional awareness across Nigerian communities. He pointed out that their advocacy for the Freedom of Religion or Belief extends beyond the major faiths. “With Freedom of Religion or Belief advocacy, we are not only speaking for Christians and Muslims but also for practitioners of African traditional religions and even atheists,” he stated.

Furthermore, Daniel Saredau of Taraba State University criticized the current government practice of providing financial support exclusively to Christian and Muslim pilgrim boards. He labeled this practice as “discriminatory and unhealthy for national unity.” Saredau highlighted that Section 38 guarantees every person the right to freedom of conscience, belief, and worship, while Section 42 expressly forbids discrimination on the basis of religion. Participants at the colloquium collectively stressed the critical need for the government to officially recognize and support all faiths, including the African Traditional Religion (ATR).