During a recent sermon, Senior Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock church sparked national debate when he claimed that Nigeria wasn’t created by God. Instead, he argued, it was pieced together by British colonial powers for economic benefit. This theological take on the country’s origin has left many Nigerians reflecting, and reacting.
Here is what the Preacher Said
Pastor Adefarasin challenged a widely-held belief, stating:
“I do not believe Nigeria was created by God… it was created for the business of the British purse.”
He referenced The Martyrdom of Man, arguing colonial-era deals (including one between Queen Elizabeth I and the Ottoman Empire) shaped Africa’s destiny, not divine design.
He also cast doubt on Nigeria’s founding fathers such as Awolowo, Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, and Azikiwe, calling them symbolic figures and crediting colonial figures like Lord Lugard with naming the nation.
Pastor Adefarasin went further to criticize Nigeria’s constitution as illegitimate, drafted by soldiers, not the people, and likened the country’s shaky constitutional foundation to a building on unstable soil, quoting Psalm 11:3.
He used the country’s deteriorating infrastructure (like poorly resurfaced roads) as metaphor for faulty foundations, suggesting systemic issues reflect a lack of justice and foresight.
Bigger Reflections
- Colonial Legacy Unveiled: Pastor Adefarasin’s sermon compels Nigerians to reevaluate the roots of our national identity, and who we credit as its founders.
- Faith vs. History: His remarks challenge beliefs that intertwine religious narratives with national consciousness.
- Call for Institutional Reform: By questioning the legitimacy of both Nigeria’s constitutional and spiritual foundations, he implies a need for national reformation—and perhaps rewriting of our foundational documents.
The big question here is whether the above can be categorized as a positive criticism which should fuel Constitutional reforms in the country or a clear misuse of the right to freedom of expression. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
