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The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has called on the Federal Government to address what it describes as a glaring disparity in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, where approximately N8.05 billion was allocated for religious projects.
According to reports, the budget sets aside N1.91 billion for seven church-related projects, while an overwhelming N6.14 billion is earmarked for 52 mosque-related projects. The NCA has warned that this imbalance threatens the constitutional principles of equity, fairness, and equal treatment of all citizens.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman of the NCA, Rev. Joseph Hayab, the association clarified that it does not oppose government support for faith-based projects. However, it insisted that any such financial interventions must strictly adhere to justice and transparency.
Rev. Hayab expressed deep concern over the allocations, stating that the disparity reinforces the ongoing fears of many Christians regarding unequal treatment and selective policy implementation by the government.
“How long will Nigerians continue to read stories that expose the hypocrisy of our leaders?” Hayab questioned. “The partiality, lack of equity, and unequal treatment of citizens by government and political leaders are among the major factors responsible for division, distrust, segregation, and the absence of genuine unity and love among Nigerians.”
The NCA Chairman noted that while Christians have continuously exercised patience for the sake of national peace and cohesion, successive administrations have unfortunately misinterpreted this restraint as weakness.
The association strongly warned that double standards and perceived discrimination are eroding public trust.
“Our constitution recognises every Nigerian as equal before the law, while the teachings of all religions discourage unfair treatment of children, women, family members, and fellow human beings,” Hayab stated. “Government should, therefore, not be seen to promote policies that suggest preferential treatment for one religious group over another.”
The NCA reiterated that its stance is not an attack on Islam, Christianity, or government collaborations with religious bodies. Rather, it is a firm demand for fairness. The group argued that if public funds must be channeled toward religious projects, the distribution must be balanced and free from the perception that one faith is given higher priority over another.
Challenging the Federal Government to clarify these anomalies, the NCA urged leaders to avoid establishing systems that sow division. Instead, the association appealed for the initiation of programs and policies capable of uniting Nigerians and fostering a collective national identity.
The NCA concluded by urging the Federal Government to review the controversial budget allocations to reflect constitutional fairness and equity, stating that national budgetary decisions must strengthen public confidence in the government’s impartiality.
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