The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has challenged the Federal Government to explain what it described as a glaring disparity in the allocation of about N8.05 billion for church and mosque projects in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
According to the NCA, the imbalance raises serious concerns about equity, fairness, and equal treatment of all Nigerians irrespective of their religious affiliation.
In a statement issued by its chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, on Monday, the association said it was not opposed to government support for religious projects, but stressed that such interventions must be guided by constitutional principles of justice, transparency, and equal treatment, rather than actions capable of creating the impression of discrimination or preferential treatment.
The association expressed concern over reports indicating that approximately N1.91 billion was earmarked for seven church-related projects, while about N6.14 billion was allocated to 52 mosque-related projects in the 2026 budget.
According to the NCA, “The disparity has reinforced concerns among many Christians over the persistent pattern of unequal treatment, selective implementation of government policies and double standards in public affairs.”
The association said Christians in Nigeria have continued to exercise restraint and tolerate many developments in the interest of national peace and unity, but regretted that governments at different levels have repeatedly interpreted such patience as weakness.
It maintained that Nigerians have continued to witness actions exposing inconsistencies in governance, warning that partiality, lack of equity, and unequal treatment of citizens remain major factors responsible for division, distrust, segregation, and the erosion of national unity.
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