The General Overseer of House on the Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin has sparked widespread debate with his bold assertion that Nigeria’s creation was driven by British colonial interests rather than divine will.
During a sermon on Sunday, the cleric challenged the popular belief that Nigeria was established under God’s guidance, arguing instead that the nation’s formation was a product of colonial power struggles and financial motives.
Adefarasin explained that Nigeria’s existence was shaped by economic and political agendas of the British, who united diverse regions to serve their own interests.
He referenced ‘The Martyrdom of Man’, a historical text, to support his claim, saying: “Nigeria, I do not believe it was created by God. I believe that Elizabeth the First entered into a deal with the Ottoman Empire concerning the Sudan.”
He added: “Two empires decided that this land would go to the sons of Ishmael. It is self-evident. But this is not a political forum; it is a church, and the church has responsibilities to correct what man got wrong.”
The pastor also criticized Nigeria’s constitution, describing it as illegitimate because it was authored by the military rather than through the collective will of the people.
While citing Psalm 11:3, he likened the nation’s predicament to a building constructed on unstable foundations.
“If the foundation is corrupted, what can the righteous do? To build a sustainable building, you need a solid foundation. Nigeria cannot be a solid nation going towards her destiny with a constitution that was written by soldiers”, he stated.
Adefarasin didn’t hold back in his criticism of Nigeria’s leadership and governance, pointing to poor road construction as a metaphor for systemic corruption.
“Why do they build roads and resurface them wrongly? Somebody suggested it’s because they want the same contract next year. That means there’s no sense of equity or justice in the decision-making process”, he lamented.
The pastor also dismissed Nigeria’s celebrated nationalist figures—Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, and Nnamdi Azikiwe—as not being the true architects of the nation.
Instead, he credited British colonial officials, including Lord Lugard, for shaping Nigeria to serve their economic goals.
He claimed that Lugard’s partner coined the name “Nigeria,” adding: “This nation was created for the business of the British purse, so they wouldn’t have to bear the bill for the less prosperous parts of the region.”
Adefarasin’s remarks have stirred significant conversation, challenging historical narratives and calling for deeper reflection on Nigeria’s origins and current challenges.