Nigeria’s foremost Jewish body has rejected attempts to associate Judaism with separatist politics, after a group in the South-East reportedly tied the faith to calls for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The Judaism Fellowship Initiative (JFI), led by Chief Arthur-Regis Odidika, clarified on Monday that it has no connection with the “Eastern Judaism and Jewish Communities” group, which held a prayer session in Abia State and urged President Bola Tinubu to exercise his prerogative of mercy to free Kanu.
“Judaism in Nigeria has nothing to do with IPOB or any political agitation,” Odidika said in Awka, stressing that the faith should not be used as a platform for political or separatist causes.
He dismissed claims of a “Biafra National Rabbi”, noting that JFI is a duly registered body under Nigerian law and does not recognise the individuals associated with the Eastern Judaism group.
The JFI leader, who also serves as Vice-President of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, Africa (Nigeria), reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to peace, unity, and interfaith cooperation across Nigeria’s diverse communities.
Looking ahead, Odidika announced that Clive Lawton, Head of Jewish Communities of the Commonwealth Nations, is expected to visit Nigeria in November—a trip he said would mark “a new chapter” for the growth of Judaism in the country.
