The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged scholars, church leaders and policymakers to move beyond discussions and develop practical solutions to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Adeboye made the call on Thursday through his Special Adviser on Administration, Prof. Dele Balogun, during the 2026 International Conference on African Pentecostalism held at Redemption City along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
The conference was organised by the Redeemed Christian Theological College in partnership with the Departments of Religious Studies at the University of Ibadan and Redeemer’s University, Ede. It focused on the theme, “African Pentecostalism and the Politics of Insecurity in Nigeria.”
Adeboye described the gathering as timely, saying Nigeria is facing a critical period marked by kidnapping, insurgency, farmer-herder clashes and communal violence. He stressed that the church must contribute meaningful solutions to the country’s challenges.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its problems through faith and cooperation with God, adding that Pentecostal faith should inspire practical action rather than merely offering spiritual explanations for national problems.
Adeboye challenged participants to ensure the conference produces implementable recommendations capable of reducing insecurity across the country.
RCCG National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande, represented by Dr. Josiah Bolarinwa, said insecurity has become politicised, making it harder to address. He urged Christians to complement prayers with community development initiatives and grassroots security efforts while continuing to support security agencies spiritually.
Akande also argued that religion and governance are closely linked in Africa, warning that excluding spirituality from public life could have negative consequences.
The Provost of the Redeemed Christian Theological College, Dr. Alaba Oti, said Nigeria and many African countries are battling both security and economic challenges. He noted that African Pentecostalism now plays an important role in discussions on leadership, justice, youth development and community transformation.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Afe Adogame of Princeton Theological Seminary said prayers alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security challenges without addressing poverty, unemployment and corruption.
He criticised governments for focusing more on national security than the welfare of citizens and called on religious organisations, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), to speak more boldly against poor governance and demand greater accountability from public officials.
