United Methodist Church Southern Nigeria Conference reaffirms doctrine on human sexuality

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The United Methodist Church in Nigeria’s Southern Nigeria Annual Conference, or SNAC, has restated its long-standing theological position on human sexuality, characterizing it as a holy divine gift that needs to be used responsibly and morally.

The Conference reiterated in a statement released in Taraba State on Wednesday that, in accordance with its scriptural interpretation, marriage is still only a bond between one man and one woman, both of whom must be consenting adults.

In addition to denouncing all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse, commercialization, and violence—including child sexual abuse—the communique urged government officials to bolster legal safeguards for vulnerable groups and increase the availability of counseling and rehabilitation services for victims of sexual assault.

The conference, which was signed by Edison Edward Baraya, Rev. Esther Ibrahim, and Ifechukwu Daniel Jack, praised Dr. Agbu Kefas, the governor of Taraba State, for what it called “remarkable progress” in lowering abduction and banditry throughout the state.

However, it voiced alarm about the ongoing violent attacks in Takum, Shomo, Bandawa, Munga Dosso, Munga Lelaw, and other areas.

The conference exhorted offenders to turn from their sins “lest they provoke the righteous judgment of God” and denounced what it called an insufficient federal reaction to the growing unrest in northern Nigeria.

The church approved significant structural changes, including as the establishment of a new Southern Nigeria Episcopal Area that will only include the present Southern Nigeria Annual Conference, as a result of the communiqué that was included in the resolutions voted during the 44th Session of Conference.

The conference overwhelmingly decided to create a new North-Central Nigeria Episcopal Area, which would include the Cameroon Mission District, the Senegal Mission District, and the North-East, Central, and Northern Nigeria Annual Conferences.

In other rulings, the Conference praised the Southern Nigeria Boundary Demarcation Committee for carrying out the Restoration Resolution that was approved at the West Africa Central Conference in Ghana, pointing out that harmonizing regional borders will enhance administrative efficiency and fortify church unity.

A Special Committee on Remarriage was also authorized by SNAC to create updated standards for review in 2026. Additionally, the Resident Bishop and the Board of Ordained Ministry were instructed to obtain government-approved certification and licensure for clergy, updating current credentials as needed.

The Conference issued a one-year directive that went into effect on January 1, 2026, prohibiting pulpit exchanges and shared worship leadership between clergy and congregations of both denominations in order to address the ongoing tensions between the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) and the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN).

As part of larger efforts at reconciliation, the policy might be reviewed at the 2026 Annual Conference.

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