ESSENCE: Interdisciplinary- International Journal of Concerned African Philosophers

This paper engages in a philosophical inquiry into the role of conscience in Christian leadership in Nigeria. Despite the growth of Christianity and the proliferation of churches in Nigeria, reports of financial mismanagement, abuse of power, and ethical compromise among Christian leaders persist between 2015-2025. While sociological and empirical studies have documented these failures, few have examined the foundational moral faculty of conscience through philosophical and theological lenses. Using a conceptual and argumentative approach, this study interrogates the nature and function of conscience drawing from classical philosophy, modern ethics, biblical theology, and African moral thought. It argues that conscience, as a God-given moral faculty that bears witness to moral truth, is indispensable for ethical decision-making in Christian leadership. The paper demonstrates how a “seared” or culturally conditioned conscience contributes to the current crisis of accountability in Nigerian churches. It concludes by proposing a conscience-driven model for Christian leaders based on three pillars: formation through Scripture and reason, maintenance of a tender conscience, and communal accountability. The study contributes to ongoing discourse on Christian ethics in Africa by repositioning conscience at the center of leadership responsibility.

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