By Obinna Uballa
A storm of reactions has trailed a declaration by the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, that Nigeria was never God’s creation but a colonial enterprise designed to serve British economic interests.
The cleric, during his Sunday sermon, had dismissed the long-held notion that nationalist icons such as Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello, and Tafawa Balewa were Nigeria’s true founding fathers. Instead, he attributed the country’s formation to British colonial officials, including Lord Lugard, and claimed Lugard’s partner coined the name “Nigeria.”
“Nigeria, I do not believe it was created by God. I believe that Elizabeth the First entered a deal with the Ottoman Empire concerning Sudan. This land was apportioned to the sons of Ishmael. It is self-evident,” Adefarasin said, referencing the book The Martyrdom of Man.
He also questioned the legitimacy of the country’s constitution, arguing it was imposed by the military rather than derived from the people’s will.
“When a constitution claims to be of ‘we the people’ but was written by soldiers, we must question why we obey it. Psalm 11:3 says if the foundation is destroyed, what can the righteous do?” he said.
The pastor further criticised what he called systemic corruption, citing poor road construction as an example of deliberate decay to sustain recurrent contracts.
The statement has already sparked an avalanche of responses on X (formerly Twitter), with Nigerians divided over the cleric’s claims.
Fatima Faith Mohammed (@fatimafaithM) faulted the remark, tweeting: “I can understand you are angry with the happenings in this nation but to conclude that Nigeria is not the creation of God is absolutely wrong. The sovereignty of God has kept Nigeria because Nigeria is His will.”
Others agreed with Adefarasin. UTDLord (@DancelordTR) wrote: “Just common sense. Nigerians always get triggered when you tell them the truth. It was a country created by a white man and named by his girlfriend. When next you demand respect from the white man, think about this first.”
Adéfúnmilọ́r (@adefunmiloro) took a more radical stance, saying: “Yes. The only way is to dismantle this rubbish of chaos called Nigeria.”
Similarly, Yahisrael Oluwasegunesu Yahshua (@Yahwehs_Elect) tweeted: “Very true concerning this FORCED, FRAUDULENT & FAILED marriage of humans & animals called Nigeria. Anyone is free to put asunder what God never joined together.”
Yinka Akintunde (@yinkakintunde) lamented the state of the nation, writing: “Apparently Nigeria is not a creation of God and there is so much less of God in her affairs. A nation of gross injustice and inequalities. A mob nation where the worst of the lot rule the best of the rest.”
Another user, Daniel David (@lorddan4ann1), said the claim was evident in Nigeria’s political realities: “He is absolutely correct. If not, why would our presidential candidates travel to the UK for validation?”
On a broader context, many analysts believe that the debate has reignited conversations about Nigeria’s colonial roots, its fragile unity, and whether the country’s foundation is too weak to support a just and functional nation.
