Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder and presiding bishop of the Living Faith Church, also widely known as Winners’ Chapel, has issued a strong public rejection of recent calls by certain Muslim interest groups advocating for the inclusion of hijab-wearing rights for female students attending mission-owned schools across Nigeria.
During a recent church service, Bishop Oyedepo described such demands as a serious overreach and a violation of the boundaries between religious institutions. Drawing a vivid analogy, he likened the push to “a tenant decreeing for the landlord,” suggesting that those making the demands were attempting to dictate terms in a space that does not belong to them. He reiterated that mission schools, many of which have a long-standing Christian heritage, must be allowed to uphold their foundational principles and maintain their original dress codes without external interference.
The prominent cleric went on to advise that any group wishing to enforce hijab usage for students should instead establish and manage their own educational institutions where such policies can be freely practiced. He issued a warning against what he described as ongoing “harassment” of the church in Nigeria, stating that such actions could provoke divine judgment, as God is “a consuming fire.” According to him, the church has been patient for long, but continued provocation could invite consequences from God Himself.
In the same address, Bishop Oyedepo shifted focus to national security concerns, leading the congregation in prayers against ritual killings, rampant kidnapping, and the destruction of farmlands by criminal elements. He specifically prayed that God’s judgment would swiftly come upon those perpetrating these crimes and those benefiting from them. He also urged church members to remain prayerful, vigilant, and unwavering in defending the Christian faith in the face of challenges.
Quoting his own words during the sermon, he said: “Such a nasty development in Kwara State, where Muslims are asking for their students in our schools to wear hijab. And the church said, no. I’ve never seen a place in my life where a tenant will be decreeing for the landlord. I’ve never seen. You know the reason why? We have never shown the world the other side of God. God is not a toy. He said the Lord is a consuming fire. Let’s show them the consuming fire of God. Leave the schools for the owner. Go to your school. Is there any fight? The word should be warned against the church. The church is a temple. The church is a time bomb. When God turns his back on anybody or any system, that system is grounded. That system is cursed. My advice, and I know they will hear me because they always hear me. My advice is leave the schools for the owners. Find your schools. Men and women can wear hijab there. No. I can understand it. Stop putting your finger in the eyes of others when they are not blind. Father, bring an end to all harassments against your church in Nigeria. Now, wait a minute. Now, we have this menace of ritual killers because they have market. Lord, the literal killers and their faith sons or faith sonnages. Let judgment come down. The kidnappers are those who buy human beings. Let your judgment come down on them. The fool and the heartless men invading people’s food and destroying the labor of their hands. Let your judgment come on their heads. Now, we need to pray this prayer. Are you sure you are in line? Yes. If you are not, go out, please. Are you sure you are in line with all this? Now, pray like somebody in line.”
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Pastor Oyedepo is right. If you want to wear a hijab, attend a Muslim-owned school. You can’t impose Islamic dress codes on a university that is owned, run, and funded by a church.
Right now, no Muslim university in Nigeria can compete with Covenant University. That’s not by… pic.twitter.com/JGhl3wQZUY
— Maliq (@MasterMaliq) August 13, 2025