Former Head of Department of Religious studies, University of Ibadan, Prof. Jacob Kehinde Ayantayo has called for urgent internal reforms and reorientation of values in the Nigerian church.for it to reclaim her moral authority
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He made the call while delivering a lecture on ‘Promoting Christian values and advancing the course for national development” at the maiden Pastor S.G.O.Uyeh Public Lecture series held at LAWMNA International headquarters, Olorunda, Ketu, Lagos state, on Saturday July 26, 2025.
According to Ayantayo the Nigerian Church needs to undergo sincere reforms and reorientation to recover her moral authority, prophetic voice and social relevance.
He observed also that the government must play a proactive role of creating an enabling environment for the Christian values such as compassion, honesty, diligence and social justice to be effectively expressed in national life,
While noting that the church in Nigeria holds vast spiritual and social potential, he said, “It has increasingly become an obstacle to national development due to moral compromise and loss of credibility, proliferation of prosperity gospel, church silence in the face of injustice and lack of unity.”
Specific unchecked trends according to him now undermine the credibility and contribution of the church to Nigeria’s broader development agenda”.
Unchecked trends
Ayantayo who is a professor of Religious Ethics and sociology of religion said for the church to move from being an obstacle to a transformative force in national development, it must hold her leaders to high biblical standards and subject those involved in misconduct to transparent discipline.
He said the church must speak truth to power without fear; as silence in the face of injustice undermines their mission. “Faith leaders should be non-partisan, boldly advocate for justice, equity and governance that serves the common good of the citizens”.
Prof. Ayantayo said beyond spiritual rituals, churches must invest in education, health care, poverty reduction and civic awareness to make their mission visible in the transformation of the communities.
He counselled the church to mentor and equip young people so they could lead effectively, build nnovation hubs and training centres and form youth councils to help harness youth’s creativity and energy for national progress.
Ayantayo believes part of church efforts towards national development is to integrate civic awareness into discipleship. He said Christian values can only be relevant to the nation’s quest for sustainable development if government plays its part by addressing poverty, promoting ethical religious engagement, and fostering a conducive environment for moral living.
Reform education
“Nigeria educational system must be reformed to align with market needs by establishing functional vocational and digital training centres. Programmes such as N-Power should be expanded and better managed to open up sustainable pathways to employment or entrepreneurship”,
Faith based organisations and civil society in his words “should be actively engaged as partners in development, ” adding that churches must be supported to offer services such as microcredit schemes, vocational training and value-based education.
Prof. Ayantayo further urged the government. To reduce its overdependence on oil by investing in other sectors such as agriculture, technology, creative industries, manufacturing and support small and medium enterprises through accessible credit facilities.
Uyeh: Christian Values must be perpetuated
The LAWMNA Territorial Chairman, Pastor (Dr) Senior Gabriel Okpako Uyeh who is being honoured with the lecture said Christian values must be perpetuated in every sector of the sociopolitical and economic life of the nation and the world at large.
He said everyone in political and social life should see themselves as ambassadors of Christ in any sphere of human endeavours, to be of positive impact so that the God sanctioned values can be perpetuated in the nation and the world.
Church and the nation’s leaders according to him should seriously consider the recommendations of the lecture for the development of national ethos, values, and transformation of the society for the better.
CAN chairman
In his keynote address, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter, Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite said the nation will lose its soul should the church fail in promoting Christian values.
His words, “The church should rise in faith, wisdom and action to prevent the gate of hell from prevailing over it and the nation.”
The Chairman of Planning Committee, S.G.O. Uyeh Public Lecture Series, Pastor Dr. Emmanuel O. Olowoyeye expressed confidence that the lecture series will from time to time serve as a forum to address contemporary and perennial issues or challenges in the church system and society at large.
