Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, has stirred heated debate online after a viral video captured him declaring that Nigeria was never created by God but by British colonial interests.
In the clip, Adefarasin told his congregation that the foundation of Nigeria as a nation was laid primarily to serve the economic agenda of the British Empire, not divine purpose.
“I do not believe that Nigeria was created by God… this nation was created for the business of the British purse,” the cleric stated.
His remarks have sparked wide-ranging reactions on social media, with many Nigerians either agreeing with his perspective on the country’s colonial origins or criticizing the statement as unpatriotic and divisive.
Historians often note that modern Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914 by the British colonial administration for administrative convenience and economic gain. Adefarasin’s comment appears to echo this view, but framed in spiritual and moral terms that have resonated and rankled among citizens.
While some commentators argue that the pastor’s words are a wake-up call for Nigerians to reflect on nation-building beyond colonial legacies, others insist that religious leaders should be more cautious in their public declarations.
The viral video has since triggered discussions on Nigeria’s historical foundation, the challenges of nationhood, and the role of faith leaders in shaping public opinion.
