A Nigerian Christian author and thought leader Mrs. Jumoke Uwagba has urged Christians to reconsider their approach to politics and governance, arguing that believers cannot continue to pray for the country while refusing to participate in the political process that runs it.
She gave the advice at the unveiling of a four-volume book which explores the why and how Christians should be involved in the political process.
The books are titled, : gods in governance, responsibility of the gods, from governance to legacy and God and government.
The first three books explore the involvement of Christians, whom she referred to as little gods, in governance while the fourth one talks about the role of God in government..
Uwagba said her decision to write the books emerged from years of observing the relationship between faith, leadership, power and society, adding that she began questioning the widely held Christian assertion that “politics is a dirty game” at an early age.
She said “I kept asking whether politics itself was really the problem,” she recalled, explaining that her concern deepened as she watched Christians withdraw from politics and governance because they regarded them as worldly or corrupt. I came to see that withdrawal was not neutrality. It had consequences.”
The author of the new books, urged Christians not limit their activity to praying and other forms of church event stressing that biblical faith also has implications for justice, leadership, education, economic life, communities and nations.
She cited biblical figures including Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, Esther and Deborah as examples of people who exercised influence in society without abandoning their faith.
“Christians have sometimes confused engagement with compromise,” she said while also noting that, “Politics can be corrupt, but abandoning a difficult system does not make that system better.”
The author said the country’s enormous potential, combined with its persistent challenges, including poor leadership, corruption, insecurity, poverty, institutional weaknesses and inequality, provided a compelling reason for Christians to rethink their approach to public life.
She said she was encouraged by some Christians serving in politics but remained concerned about others who appeared to assume that Christian identity alone was sufficient qualification for public leadership.
“Being a churchgoer is not the same thing as possessing political competence. Quoting Scripture is not the same as understanding public policy. Having a good heart is not a substitute for knowledge, preparation and administrative ability,” she said.
The most important question according to her is not how many Christians occupy political positions, but what they do with the influence entrusted to them.
She urged Christians in public offices to demonstrate integrity, competence, courage, justice, accountability and a genuine commitment to service.
Uwagba, who served for years as a Bible school registrar and lecturer also urged seminaries to prepare leaders, not only preachers
While acknowledging the important role Bible schools have played in preparing men and women for ministry, she said theological institutions should continually assess whether their curricula adequately prepare students for the realities of leadership and public influence.
She observed that many Bible school programmes had traditionally placed greater emphasis on theology and ministry than on leadership, governance, ethics and the responsible management of influence. She insists that, “Theological education should not merely produce people who can preach sermons, explain doctrines and perform
religious duties. It should also help produce people of character who can engage in governance,” she said.
She identified financial stewardship, accountability, the responsible exercise of power, ethical leadership and the distinction between genuine spiritual authority and personal ambition as areas requiring greater attention. However, she cautioned against placing the blame for the shortcomings of some pastors entirely on Bible schools.
“A Bible school can teach integrity, but it cannot force a graduate to live with integrity. A seminary can teach servant leadership, but it cannot make someone humble,” she said, adding that the church, family, mentoring relationships, society and individual choices all contribute to the formation of leaders.
Her conclusion was emphatic: “The Church does not only need gifted ministers; it needs formed leaders.”
Christians entering politics must prepare Uwagba advised Christians who intend to enter politics not to do so merely for power or position.
She urged prospective politicians to identify the problems they intend to solve and acquire a proper understanding of their communities, public policy, budgeting, legislation and government processes. “Good intentions alone are not enough,” she said. “Christians entering politics should prepare spiritually, intellectually and professionally.”
She also reminded believers that political engagement extends beyond contesting elections, pointing to policy, advocacy, civic organisations, professional bodies, education, community leadership and public opinion as other avenues through which Christians can influence society.
Call to women in governance
Uwagba particularly encouraged women who believe they have a calling to public leadership to step forward. “Women have a legitimate and important place in governance,” she declared, urging women to develop competence, understand the issues, build networks, know their constituencies and learn how political and
governmental systems work. She also recommended her books as a resource for Christians seeking to understand their role in public life.
Messages for Christians who want to join politics
Uwagba urged Christians in politics or who wants to join the fray to remember who they are and why they are in politics. They should protect their integrity; develop competence; and build institutions that will outlive them.
She warned against ignorance, inadequate preparation, confusing religious popularity with political competence, excessive dependence on personalities, gradual compromise and remaining silent when speaking the truth becomes politically inconvenient. “Power should make us more accountable, not less accountable,” she said.
Daniel, Joseph, Deborah and Esther as leadership models
Although she found it difficult to identify only one biblical model of leadership, Uwagba singled out Daniel as particularly representative of her philosophy of governance.
She noted that Daniel served within a political system that was not designed around his faith, yet distinguished himself through excellence, competence and integrity without abandoning his convictions.
She also pointed to Joseph as an example of administrative wisdom and foresight; Moses for courage and obedience; Nehemiah for vision and organisational ability; Deborah for significant female leadership; and Esther for strategic positioning, courage and the responsible use of influence.
“The lesson that runs through all of them is that character and competence must work together,” she said. “A leader who has character but lacks competence may struggle to deliver. A leader who has competence but lacks character can become dangerous. We need both.”
The next generation needs spiritual depth and intellectual capacity Looking ahead, Uwagba said the next generation of Christian leaders must combine deep spiritual formation with intellectual capacity, competence, character, accountability, transparency, humility, courage, collaboration and long-term vision.
She warned against raising leaders whose convictions are merely borrowed, arguing that such convictions may disappear under pressure.
She also stressed that spirituality must not be used as a substitute for preparation. “Nigeria and Africa need leaders who can think, research, analyse, understand complex problems and develop practical solutions.”
For Uwagba, nation-building requires leaders willing to make sacrifices for future generations. “We must learn to plant trees under whose shade we may never personally sit.”
She further cautioned Christians against confusing the defence of their faith with hostility towards people of other beliefs, saying Christian convictions should be expressed with “truth, wisdom, courage and respect.”
Advice for Nigeria’s leaders
Despite the country’s many challenges, Uwagba said she remains hopeful because of the resilience, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness of Nigerians.
She urged leaders to build systems stronger than individuals, arguing that national institutions must continue to function regardless of who occupies political office.
She called for justice and accountability to become non-negotiable, warning that lasting stability cannot be achieved where citizens believe that powerful people operate under different rules.
Leaders according to her should also think beyond the next election, asking them to consider what Nigeria should look like 20, 30 or even 50 years from now. “Real leadership is not simply about winning power,” she said. “It is about using power to create a future that can outlive you.”
A life at the intersection of faith, academia and leadership Uwagba’s perspective is shaped by an unusual intersection of academic, ministry and leadership experience.
About Uwagba
Born into a Christian family with several ministers, pastors, reverends, deacons, Bible school leaders and other ministry workers, she developed an early commitment to God and the Church.
Her ministry journey has included opportunities to serve in leadership capacities across organisations including Foursquare, the National Fellowship of Christian Students (NIFES) and, currently, FOTA.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Lagos State University. She also studied ministry at Patmos Bible School of Faith and received theological education at Berean Bible College, where she served voluntarily as registrar and later as a lecturer.
Her academic and ministry experiences have informed much of her literary work, particularly her interest in the intersection of Christianity, governance and society.
She is married to Dr. Godwin Uwagba, a practising oncologist and ministry worker. They have three children and are based in Lagos.
Through the God and Governance series, Uwagba’s central argument is that Christians should not retreat from the difficult spaces of public life.but should enter those spaces prepared to serve—with faith, competence, integrity and a commitment to building institutions that can outlive them.
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