Christian leaders from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory have adopted a new name, reviving the “Northern Christian Association” as part of efforts to redefine their regional identity while maintaining allegiance to the national Christian Association of Nigeria.
The decision was reached at a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna, which brought together state chairmen, secretaries, and representatives of youth and women groups from across the North. The gathering also coincided with the first anniversary of the current Northern Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting, Hayab explained that the change was not a separation from CAN but a clarification of the group’s regional role.
“We remain fully part of CAN,” he said.
“However, when addressing matters that specifically concern Christians in Northern Nigeria, we believe it is important to operate under a name that clearly reflects our regional focus. This is about identity, not division.”
Hayab noted that the body was originally established in 1964 in Kaduna as the Northern Christian Association before it evolved into the national Christian Association of Nigeria in 1976.
According to him, dropping the word “Nigeria” from the revived name was a deliberate step to avoid confusion with the national leadership and to show respect for the umbrella body.
He added that the Forum of Northern Christians, as it is also called, has now been formally registered and incorporated. The restructuring, he said, would improve coordination and strengthen advocacy for Christians in the region.
Among the key concerns raised at the meeting were issues of religious freedom, access to quality education, the shortage of Christian Religious Knowledge teachers, and what leaders described as limited admission opportunities for Christian students in certain areas.
“These challenges require focused engagement,” Hayab stated. “Our mission is to ensure fairness, equal treatment, and meaningful participation for Christians in the North.”
Providing historical context, Engr. Samuel Salifu, who served as the first General Secretary of Northern CAN, traced the origins of the association to 1964.
He explained that Christians in the region initially organized themselves to address shared concerns before joining other regional bodies to form CAN in 1976.
“There has never been a separate Northern CAN independent of the national structure,” Salifu clarified.
“What existed was a regional platform of Christians in the North. The current step is simply to regularize the name and eliminate any misunderstanding. We remain united under CAN.”
He further disclosed that the association’s registration process was concluded during the military administration of former Head of State Olusegun Obasanjo, with the late Interior Minister, Shehu Shagari, playing a role in formalizing it.
Also speaking, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau described the original 1964 movement as one born out of necessity, urging the current leadership to stay committed to equity and justice.
In a virtual address, elder statesman Prof. Yusuf Turaki expressed concern over the persistent insecurity in Northern Nigeria, highlighting the impact of kidnappings, displacement, and destruction of property on Christian communities.
He encouraged the newly rebranded association to continue pursuing constitutional and lawful means of advocating for vulnerable groups.
