Controversial 'Jesus Is Not God' Banner at Lekki Mosque Sparks Outrage

A banner displayed at the entrance of the Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos State, which reads "Jesus Christ is not God. He is a Prophet and Messenger of God!", has ignited widespread outrage and debate across social media platforms. 

The inscription, which went viral on Wednesday, has sparked a division of opinion among Nigerians, with some condemning it as offensive and disrespectful, while others defended it based on religious beliefs and teachings.

Nigerian actress Wumi Tuase expressed her concerns on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I don’t like to get into religious conversations, but I found it very weird that Lekki Central Mosque has this in front of their gate.” Her post quickly gained traction, with many other users echoing her disapproval.

Some critics, like user Fisayo Ojabodu, called the banner disrespectful. “You don’t see the banner as disrespectful to other people’s religion. It is propagating a foolish agenda,” he wrote. Another user, Adesuwa, described the inscription as blasphemy, emphasizing the sensitivity of such religious matters in Nigeria.

In a more emotionally charged response, user Expope compared the banner's impact to the tragic killing of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student who was lynched over allegations of blasphemy. “The late Deborah they set on fire has not done up to this before they all joined hands to terminate her life,” Expope wrote, referring to the ongoing religious tensions in the country.

On the other hand, some defended the message on the banner, arguing that it was in line with their understanding of both Christianity and Islam. 

Silva Bella wrote, “It’s not about Christianity being a religion of peace or not … Jesus is not God. I’ve read the Bible a lot of times, and it’s clear. He’s the son, which means God is the father.”

Abdul’fattah Muhdl’awwal echoed Islamic perspectives, stating, “Jesus himself never said he is God. You and the likes are the ones calling him God. The quote on the banner is a fact, not blasphemy.”

Despite the controversy, some social media users called for religious tolerance and understanding. Muhammad Shaikhan urged, “The beauty of this drama is that everyone knows God is one. 

The argument is about the teachings of Jesus and Prophet Muhammad. Let’s not let it divide us.”

As of press time, there was no official response from the Lagos State Government, but the incident has raised concerns about the potential for religious tensions in the state.