“I Don’t Believe God Created Nigeria” – Pastor Paul Adefarasin

“It Was a British Business Project”

Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, has stirred debate after declaring that Nigeria’s creation was not the work of God but a product of British colonial interests. Speaking during a Sunday sermon, the cleric argued that the country’s foundation was shaped by imperial deals and financial motives rather than divine intent.

“I do not believe Nigeria was created by God,” Adefarasin said, pointing to historical accounts of colonial power struggles. He referenced *The Martyrdom of Man*, noting that deals between European empires determined the fate of African territories, including Nigeria. According to him, the church has a responsibility to correct what man established wrongly, as it is called to be the “light of the world and the salt of the earth.”

The pastor went further to question the legitimacy of Nigeria’s constitution, describing it as a military creation rather than a document born of the people’s collective will. Citing Psalm 11:3, he likened the nation to a building erected on a faulty foundation, warning that a country cannot thrive without structural integrity.

He also criticised corruption and poor governance, highlighting Nigeria’s substandard infrastructure as evidence. Comparing the Lagos airport road with others across the country, Adefarasin alleged that some projects are deliberately built poorly to secure repeated contracts.

The cleric dismissed the popular view of Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, and Nnamdi Azikiwe as Nigeria’s founding fathers. Instead, he credited colonial figures, including Lord Lugard and officials in London, with shaping the country for Britain’s economic gain. He added that Lugard’s partner was responsible for naming Nigeria, reinforcing his claim that the nation’s origins were rooted in foreign interests rather than national vision.