The immediate past Supreme Head of the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Unification Church of Nigeria, and Worldwide, His Most Eminence, Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao, has described Nigeria’s future as “bleak” if the country fails to urgently reform its leadership structure and political culture.
Dr. Alao, who recently retired from active leadership of the church, made the remarks during an interview with WesternLifeNewsNG in which he reflected on his years at the helm of the unified Christian body, his challenges in office, and his expectations for both the church and the nation.
“I Contributed My Little, I Leave Without Regrets”
Speaking on his tenure as Supreme Head, Dr. Alao declined to list personal achievements, stressing humility and service.
“It is not for me to say what I have achieved. All I can say is that I contributed my little within my capacity. I leave without regrets,” he said.
Although he has formally stepped aside, the retired church leader clarified that he remains actively involved in church affairs, noting that he is still a key member of the Unification Church and currently the Emiritus head of Cherubim & Seraphim Church Worldwide.
Challenges of Leading a Diverse Church
Dr. Alao identified limited administrative exposure among some church leaders as one of the toughest challenges he faced while steering the unified church.
“Communication was difficult at first. Many had never been in management positions or exposed to structured leadership. I had to come down to their level to carry everyone along,” he explained.
He said his major reform focus was to modernise the church and move it away from outdated practices.
“I wanted to refine the C&S, remove old-fashioned ideas and improve ideological orientation. Eventually, they listened, and we began to make progress,” he added.
Expectations for New Leadership
On the future of the church, Dr. Alao said he would avoid interference but remains available for counsel if approached by the new leadership.
“My expectation is simple: that the new leadership will lift the flag higher than I left it. That will give me joy,” he said.
Post-Retirement Focus on Evangelism and Nation-Building
A chartered insurance professional since 1968, Dr. Alao said retirement has allowed him to return fully to evangelism, which he described as his primary divine assignment.
“I am a marketer by training and an evangelist by calling. Evangelism is where my heart is,” he said.
Beyond church work, he disclosed that he continues to offer advice to government where necessary and encourages Christians to become more involved in governance.
“Politics affects everything. People of faith must participate, by voice and by action, in shaping Nigeria’s future,” he stated.
“We Have Politicians, Not Statesmen”
Assessing Nigeria’s current condition, the cleric delivered a blunt verdict.
“I feel bad about Nigeria. The future is bleak because we don’t have the right leadership. We have politicians, not statesmen. Many are only interested in power and wealth,” he said.
He warned that Nigeria is drifting from the foundational vision laid by its founding fathers and called for structural reforms, including a looser federation with fewer states and devolved powers.
“We don’t need more than six states. The geopolitical zones should become states, with provinces under them. That is the only way governance can be efficient,” he argued.
On Religious Division and Alleged Christian Persecution
Reacting to claims by the United States that Christians face systematic persecution in Nigeria, Dr. Alao said the reality was evident and deeply troubling.
“We must kill religious division before it kills us,” he warned, urging Nigerians to de-emphasise religious identity in national life.
Little Hope for 2027 Elections
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the retired church leader expressed deep scepticism.
“No, I am not hopeful. There is no honesty. Integrity is lacking. People campaign, get elected, and forget their promises,” he said.
He criticised political defections without resignation, describing them as a sign of moral decay in the system.
“If you leave the party that brought you to power, integrity demands that you resign and seek a fresh mandate,” he added.
Advice to Nigerians
Dr. Alao urged Nigerians to abandon sentiment in voting and demand competence and integrity from leaders.
“If Nigerians vote criminals into power, they should not expect miracles,” he warned.
He also rejected zoning as currently practised, saying it often promotes mediocrity, and advocated a return to the parliamentary system with genuine separation of powers.
“Nigeria concentrates too much power in one office. Until power is devolved, our problems will persist,” he concluded.
