Christian leaders from Northern Nigeria in a move aimed at clarifying their identity and strengthening their voice on regional issues, have officially adopted the name “Northern Christian Association,” reviving a title dating back to 1964.
The announcement came during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna, held Wednesday and Thursday to mark the first anniversary of Reverend Joseph John Hayab as chairman of the Forum of Northern Christians and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The gathering included CAN chairmen from the 19 northern states and the FCT, along with secretaries and representatives from youth and women’s wings.
Hayab explained that the rebranding from the previously informal “Northern CAN” seeks to avoid misunderstandings with the national Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) while maintaining full allegiance to its leadership under President Bishop Daniel Okoh. “The word ‘Nigeria’ was deliberately excluded from the revived name to show respect to the mother body and avoid confusion with the national structure,” Hayab stated. He added that the forum has been fully registered and incorporated as the Forum of Northern Christians and the FCT, formerly known as Northern CAN.
The group’s origins trace to 1964 in Kaduna, when it was founded as the Northern Christian Association before evolving into the national CAN in 1976. Engineer Samuel Salifu, the first General Secretary of Northern CAN, clarified that there was never a separate “Northern CAN” entity, but rather Christians in the North organizing themselves, leading to the name change to prevent suspicion.
Reverend Emmanuel Dziggau described the 1964 formation as a “struggle for survival” for regional Christians, urging current leaders to prioritize justice and equity. In a virtual address, Professor Yusuf Turaki highlighted ongoing insecurity, including kidnappings and displacement in Christian communities, calling for advocacy through lawful means to protect vulnerable groups.
The association plans to address key challenges such as religious freedom, access to education, shortages of Christian Religious Knowledge teachers, and limited admission opportunities for Christian children in parts of the North.
Stakeholders reaffirmed their loyalty to national CAN and pledged ongoing collaboration while establishing a distinct regional structure.
