The Northern Christian Association has called on the Federal Government to clarify what it described as an imbalance in the proposed allocation of about ₦8.05 billion for church and mosque projects in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, saying the figures have raised questions about fairness and equal treatment.
In a statement issued on Monday, the association’s Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said the organisation was not opposed to government support for religious projects. However, he stressed that such funding should be guided by the constitutional principles of equity, justice and transparency.
According to the association, the proposed budget sets aside about ₦1.91 billion for seven church related projects, while approximately ₦6.14 billion has been allocated to 52 mosque related projects. Hayab argued that the difference in the allocations has deepened concerns among many Christians over what they see as unequal treatment in public policy.
He questioned how long Nigerians would continue to witness actions that, in his view, expose inconsistency in leadership and decision making. He maintained that fairness and impartiality are essential to building national unity and restoring public confidence in government institutions.
Hayab further stated that unequal treatment of citizens has contributed to division, distrust and growing social tension across the country. According to him, policies perceived as favouring one group over another only weaken the spirit of national unity and coexistence.
The cleric noted that Christians have consistently exercised patience in the interest of peace and national stability. He, however, warned that successive administrations have often mistaken that restraint for silence or weakness.
The association also expressed concern that perceived discrimination and double standards in governance are gradually eroding public trust. It emphasised that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees equal rights and protection for every citizen, regardless of religious belief.
While making its position clear, the Northern Christian Association stressed that its appeal should not be interpreted as an attack on Islam, Christianity or the government’s engagement with faith based organisations. Rather, it said the focus is on ensuring fairness and accountability in the use of public funds.
The group urged the Federal Government to provide a detailed explanation of the proposed allocations and review them in line with the constitutional principles of equity and equal treatment. It added that budget decisions should promote national unity, strengthen public trust and reflect fairness for all citizens.
