Niger State, the largest sub-national entity in Nigeria by landmass, was recently in the news for the right reasons. Its Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Umar Bago, a banker and former federal lawmaker, set a tone of religious tolerance that shocked many.

Though a very devoted Muslim, he not only authorised the staging of a massive crusade in Minna, the state capital, he also graced the event held on November 7, 2024. Dressed in a brown chinos slacks and grey polo top, Bago mounted the stage, greeted the Christian throng with “Praise the Lord”, and led many Christian choruses. It caused quite a stir in the social media. The reasons for this are not far-fetched.

Though Niger State is in the North-Central Zone which is home to almost equal distribution of the Christian and Muslim faithful, it is culturally like a typical far Northern state with entrenched Islamic history and culture. It also had a rich history of Christian missionary presence during British colonial era, which conditioned the state for peaceful interfaith coexistence.

Niger is home to about 75 per cent Muslims and 20 per cent Christians. Before it joined the other eleven Northern states that embraced the Sharia Law between 1999 and 2002, the state used to have Muslim Governors and Christian Deputy Governors. But since the adoption of Sharia Law, the state has marginalised other faiths with Islamic dominance of the commanding heights of governance, and the Christians have been complaining in vain.

Indeed, the Suleja axis of the state became a major hub of early Boko Haram jihadist terror, with the bombing of St Theresa’s Cathedral in Madalla, where 37 people were massacred with 57 others injured. The state has also recorded a number of “blasphemy” murders. Some years ago, Niger State became the epicentre of Boko Haram and bandit terror, with frequent school abductions for ransom.

Niger State remains one of the most terrorised states. Indeed, only Jigawa State has managed to escape the Islamic terrorism that has swept through all the states which embraced Sharia Law.

Bago’s extraordinary gesture of religious tolerance could be a message that the state is tired of bigotry and would want to return to its past glory of being one of the most peaceful and secured in the country. It is no mean feat for a Muslim leader to proactively participate in a crusade which most Muslims erroneously see as the Christian version of jihad.

We call on, not just the good people of Niger State, but also the entire North to eschew religious intolerance and emulate Bago to foster peaceful coexistence. This must also reflect in all areas of governance. All Nigerians must demonstrate the best behaviours which their faiths require of them in our interactions.

Well done, Governor Mohammed Bago!