Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, has sparked widespread debate following his bold statements challenging the narrative that Nigeria’s creation was divinely inspired. During a Sunday sermon, the cleric argued that Nigeria’s formation was primarily driven by British colonial economic motives, rather than any spiritual or divine plan.

Adefarasin asserted that Nigeria was a result of strategic alliances and colonial negotiations, rather than a nation established by divine guidance. Referring to historical accounts, he claimed Queen Elizabeth I made arrangements with the Ottoman Empire regarding territorial interests in Africa. He cited the book The Martyrdom of Man to support his claims, suggesting that Nigeria’s formation was pre-planned by foreign empires for their benefit, particularly targeting resource exploitation.

He criticized the idea that Nigeria’s founding was shaped by local heroes or a unified national vision. Instead, Adefarasin stated that colonial figures—specifically British officials such as Lord Lugard and others based in Whitehall—were the true architects of Nigeria. He even attributed the country’s name to Lugard’s partner, challenging the common recognition of figures like Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, and Nnamdi Azikiwe as Nigeria’s founding fathers.

Delving deeper, Adefarasin questioned the legitimacy of Nigeria’s constitution, arguing that it was not created by “we the people,” but imposed by military rulers. Quoting Psalm 11:3, he likened Nigeria’s unstable progress to a building erected on a faulty foundation, warning that without addressing foundational flaws, the nation cannot sustainably move forward.

He also touched on issues of governance and corruption, pointing to the poor state of infrastructure—such as inconsistent road construction—as symptoms of deeper systemic problems. He criticized decision-makers for lacking integrity, suggesting that contracts are deliberately mishandled to ensure repeated profits for a few.