A contentious banner displayed at the entrance of the Lekki Central Mosque, Lagos, which sparked widespread criticism, has been taken down following public backlash.
The banner, which went viral on social media on Wednesday, carried the message: “Jesus Christ is not God. He is a Prophet and Messenger of God!” This prompted a heated debate among Nigerians, with many condemning the message as offensive and provocative.
By Wednesday night, the banner had reportedly been removed. In a video shared online, a member of the Lekki Muslim community, Tunde Alabi, confirmed the removal and apologized for the controversy it caused.
“I’m a member of the Lekki Muslim community. I noticed there was a banner in front of our mosque that was causing some controversy. I sent a message to the mosque committee, and I was told it had been removed. So I came here personally to check, and I can confirm that it has actually been removed,” Alabi said. He went on to apologize for any inconvenience the banner might have caused.
The banner had elicited strong reactions on social media, with many calling it disrespectful. Nigerian actress Wumi Tuase voiced her discomfort 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.”
Some, however, defended the message. A user, @Dannymasterp, wrote, “Jesus is not God; the evidence is very clear. The church celebrates his personality more than his teachings. They call him God because he performed miracles, not understanding that was a way to make people believe he was sent by God.”
Others criticized the timing and context of the banner, arguing it could incite religious tensions. User @shinoremy commented, “The issue with the banner isn’t whether it is true or not. However, it is aimed at countering a religious doctrine, and coming from a religion like Islam, it could possibly incite religious conflicts. We need to do better as a people and just respect ourselves.”
The incident has reignited discussions about religious tolerance and the need for sensitivity in public expressions of faith. Some urged communities to avoid statements that could foster division or provoke unnecessary conflict.
While the Lekki Muslim community has taken steps to address the matter, the debate highlights the delicate balance between freedom of expression and maintaining mutual respect in Nigeria’s religiously diverse society.
