Christian leaders across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have reverted to their original name, Forum of Northern Christians also known as the Northern Christian Association (NCA).
According to Punch, the decision was taken at a two-day stakeholders’ meeting held in Kaduna, attended by chairmen from the 19 northern states and the FCT, alongside their secretaries and representatives of youth and women wings.
The body was previously known as the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Joseph Hayab, chairman of the association, said the name northern CAN often created confusion about the group’s relationship with the national structure of the Christian body.
Hayab said the decision was not a breakaway from the national body but a return to the group’s historical roots.
He said the association was originally founded in 1964 in Kaduna as the Northern Christian Association before it later evolved into the Christian Association of Nigeria in 1976.
“We are CAN. We are Christians, and we remain members of CAN. But when we speak on issues affecting Christians in Northern Nigeria, we believe we should have a distinct and clear identity. There is no quarrel with the national body,” Hayab said.
He explained that the word “Nigeria” was deliberately excluded from the revived name to avoid confusion with the national structure and to demonstrate respect for the mother body.
Hayab added that the Forum of Northern Christians and the FCT have now been fully registered and incorporated.
He said the body would focus on challenges confronting Christians in northern Nigeria, including religious freedom, access to education, shortage of Christian religious knowledge teachers, and limited admission opportunities for Christian children in some areas.
“These are serious issues that demand focused attention. Our priority is to ensure that our people are treated as equal citizens, respected, and given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to nation-building,” he said.
