Revd. (Dr.) Adetunji Adeonigbagbe, the founder, Celica Church of Christ Worldwide, is notably one of Nigeria's most respected men of God. He is a revered Prophet, one who has distinguished himself with his rare display of honesty and bluntness on the pulpit and his courage to speak truth to power at all times. In this interview, he speaks candidly on the state of the nation and the need for for a rebirth in the country. Enjoy the full interview.

For a long time you have been warning Nigerians, especially political leaders, of the dangers ahead. Do you think the leaders are really listening?

I would say a few leaders do have a listening ear. The painful truth, however, is that most only pay attention when crisis is already at the door, and a minority do not listen at all. The Scriptures are replete with such examples: David, Hezekiah, Saul, Ahab, Herod, Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh.

Power often creates an echo chamber that insulates leaders from the cries of the masses. Yet warning is a sacred duty. Ezekiel 33:6-7 reminds us: "Whether they heed the message or not, our hands are clean before the Almighty because we spoke the truth."

Proverbs 29:1 also warns: “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken, and that without remedy.”

I recall the case of General Abacha. A divine message was sent to him during his tenure. One of his aides came to me with a briefcase full of money and an invitation to Abuja. I declined both the money and the invitation, because that was not God's instruction. My mandate was to deliver the message. What he did with it was between him and God.

What Nigeria needs now is humility and genuine repentance in leadership. Until our leaders move from political expediency to a place of godly fear and selfless service, these warnings will remain urgent.

Would you say that there are still signs that the prophesied dangers have not yet been averted? What are some of these signs? 
Yes, the signs are all around us. It would be dishonest to pretend otherwise. We are living in the season Jesus described in Matthew 24:6: “wars and rumours of wars.”

The unresolved dangers are evident:  
1.  Persistent insecurity – Kidnapping, banditry and ritual killings continue to terrorise communities, exposing gaps in our security architecture. 
2.  Severe economic hardship – Inflation, hunger and youth unemployment have pushed many citizens to desperation.  
3.  Deepening moral decay – Corruption is being normalised, the pursuit of overnight wealth through occult means is rising, and the value of human life is eroding.  
4.  Weaponised division – Ethnic and religious sentiments are being manipulated for political gain, fracturing national unity.  

These are birth pangs. But they are not meant to drive us to despair. They are a clarion call to prayer, reform and total repentance, as outlined in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

In what ways do you think the looming dangers will be averted?  
Only God can avert judgment, but He works through human instruments.

First, we need radical national repentance. Proverbs 14:34 declares: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Second, we must institutionalise justice and equity. God's favour rests on a land where the poor, the widow and the vulnerable are protected.

Third, we must cultivate unity of purpose  placing Nigeria above tribe and party.

Finally, the Church must rise. The Body of Christ must be salt and light in governance, education and community development. If we humble ourselves and take these steps, God will heal our land.

There is a lot of bloodshed in the country due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and rituals for wealth and power. Does this mean there is no redemption for the nation?
 
No. As long as there is breath and a remnant willing to stand in the gap, there is hope. In Elijah's day there were 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal. In Daniel's day, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused idolatry. God is a God of redemption. He spared Nineveh when they repented at Jonah's preaching.

That said, the shedding of innocent blood grieves God deeply.  Numbers 35:33 make it clear that bloodshed pollutes the land.

For redemption, we need:  
1.Uncompromised justice for victims, without political cover-ups.  
2.  Spiritual warfare by the Church against altars of blood.  
3.  A national reorientation that restores the sacred value of human life.  

Years ago the Lord gave a message: “Nigeria: To Be or Not To Be. A spiritual revolution is coming  not by human hands but by God's own hand.” If we cry out to Him in truth, His mercy is sufficient to redeem Nigeria.

How do you assess the performance of the current administration in the past three years? Is the “Renewed Hope” agenda a success so far?
 
“Renewed Hope” will remain a slogan until the average Nigerian feels it in his pocket, on his table and on his street. We are not there yet.

Hunger is widespread, insecurity persists in several states, and public trust is low.

My counsel to the administration is this: listen more to the pain of the people, communicate with honesty, and prioritise human welfare above statistics. Isaiah 1:17 charges us: “Seek justice, correct oppression.”True hope must translate into affordable food, decent shelter and guaranteed safety.

With political activities toward the 2027 general elections already underway, do you foresee a peaceful and rancour-free process?
  
The peace of 2027 depends on our choices. Elections reflect a nation's moral health.

If political parties obey the rules, if INEC remains truly independent, and if security agencies are neutral, then 2027 can be peaceful.

But if we tolerate money politics, thuggery and hate speech, we invite chaos.

The Church must pray and also educate the electorate to vote with conscience, not for short-term gain. I pray that 2027 will be remembered as a season of choice, not of crisis.

Are political parties doing enough to take their messages to the grassroots?

No, they are not. Political communication remains elitist  centred in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and other capitals.  

The real Nigeria is in the grassroots: the farmer in Benue, the trader in Kano, the youth in Yenagoa.  

Parties must move beyond stadium rallies to town halls, community engagement and manifestos in local languages. More importantly, they must live what they preach. James 1:22 says: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”

What is your view on the discovery of a fake federal agency operating from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja? How do you assess the President’s handling of it?

It is deeply alarming. It exposes serious vulnerabilities in our civil service. That a fraudulent agency could operate within the Federal Secretariat points to failures in security, vetting and institutional integrity.

While I commend the President for ordering an investigation, investigation alone is not enough. There must be transparency, prosecution of all involved, and a complete overhaul of verification systems.

Proverbs 11:1 states: “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” This incident should be a wake-up call to sanitise the public sector.

What is your position on the proposed creation of State Police? Will it help curb insecurity?

State Police is not a cure-all, but it can be effective with proper safeguards.

Local officers understand the terrain and the people. However, there is a real danger of governors turning state police into political instruments.

For it to work, we need constitutional checks, independent community oversight, and uniform federal standards for recruitment and training.

Even then, policing only addresses symptoms. Lasting security requires jobs, economic justice and moral restoration. Psalm 127:1 reminds us: “Except the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”

Conclusion 
Nigeria's crisis is first spiritual and moral, before it is political or economic. Until we return to truth, justice and the fear of God, we will keep treating symptoms.  
But I believe God has not finished with Nigeria. The nation will yet be delivered from the forces of darkness.