The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed concern over what it described as recurring acts of religious intimidation against Muslim students in various public schools across Ogun State , particularly the deliberate removal of hijab from willing Muslim girls by certain Christian teachers.
MURIC called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene and ensure equity, justice, and religious balance in the education sector in the state
The Ogun State Chapter of MURIC in a statement made available to Edu-biznews on Saturday by its Chairman , Ustadh Jimoh Tajudeen Alao and Secretary, Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare listed schools where such disturbing trend had been reported to include Abeokuta Grammar School, Baptist Girls College Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ajebo Community High School, Ogunmakin Community High School, among others
The rights group accused the identified Schools of directly violating the constitutional and Allah-given fundamental human rights of the affected students and systematically suppressing their Islamic identity in public schools.
"Our office has received numerous complaints from Muslim parents who are deeply concerned about the systematic attempts to suppress Islamic identity in public schools.*
MURIC also accused both the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) of a deliberate marginalization of qualified Muslims in employment and promotion processes within the two agencies which according to it , has been creating an imbalance that allows Christian dominance and manipulation of Muslim children’s education in the state.
MURIC then challenged the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to publicly release the religious ratio of their employees.
The statement further reads in part:*
"We have credible reasons to believe that there is a deliberate marginalization of qualified Muslims in employment and promotion processes within these agencies, creating an imbalance that allows Christian dominance and manipulation of Muslim children’s education in the state"
"We therefore call on His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, to urgently intervene and ensure equity, justice, and religious balance in the education sector"
"Ogun State has long been a symbol of peace and inter-religious harmony, and this reputation must not be jeopardised by the actions of a few intolerant individuals"
"Religious intolerance in any form must not be condoned, as it poses a grave threat to public order.*
*Teachers are employed to educate, guide, and nurture students morally and academically, not to intimidate, convert, or discriminate against them on religious grounds.* *It is regrettable that some educators have turned classrooms and schools into centres of religious bias and crusade grounds, thereby discouraging Muslim children from accessing the quality education the government seeks to provide.*
*We also wish to remind the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, of his duty to guarantee fairness, inclusivity, and protection for all teachers and students in Ogun State, regardless of faith. The state cannot afford to overlook the growing discontent among Muslim parents and students.*
Education worldwide has evolved into a new era driven by technology, robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation. Yet, while the world advances, some teachers in Ogun State remain trapped in religious bigotry and confusion. Instead of preparing students for the future, they are preoccupied with imposing their religious bias, thereby setting education backwards.
*Part of this growing religious bias in Ogun State’s education system is the deliberate action of some Christian principals who compel teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies to teach unrelated subjects. Some of these qualified teachers have been transferred abruptly to distant zones, while others have been replaced without suitable substitutes.* At the same time, Christian Religious Knowledge continues to be freely taught across public schools.
MURIC Ogun State issues a strong caution to any principal who assumes ownership of public institutions as private Christian establishments. These are government-funded, government-monitored, and government-controlled schools that must serve all citizens equally—irrespective of faith.
Hijab, far from being a symbol of division, represents modesty, discipline, and identity for Muslim girls. It has no negative impact on learning or academic performance. In fact, many of the best-performing female graduates in Nigerian universities this year were proud hijab-wearing Muslims—proof that faith and academic excellence can easily coexist.
No teacher has the moral or constitutional right to remove the hijab from a Muslim student. Such an act is not discipline; it is discrimination, and it must stop immediately.
"We call on our Christian brothers and sisters in the teaching profession to respect the faith of their Muslim students.* *Intimidation in any form is unchristian, un-Islamic, and unconstitutional.
*Touching or removing a student’s hijab without her consent is an act of aggression and a clear violation of her rights. We caution every teacher: respect the law, respect humanity, and respect God.*
"MURIC Ogun State will continue to speak out and engage with relevant authorities to ensure the protection of Muslim rights and prevent the escalation of religious tension in the state"
"We urge the Ogun State Government not to fold its arms while a few bigoted individuals threaten the peaceful coexistence our state is known for"
"Muric calls on the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State to thoroughly investigate these reported cases and ensure that peace continues to reign in Ogun State", the statement concluded
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