Tag: Muric

HIJAB: Delist JAMB Centres Falling Foul of HIJAB Law– MURIC

By Biola Lawal

‎‎A civil liberties organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called for the delisting of examination centres where acts of hijab discrimination occurred during the ongoing examination of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The group also demanded sanctions against any official found culpable.‎

‎MURIC’s demand came on the heels of a viral video clip showing embarrassing moments when a Muslim candidate of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination was publicly harassed and disallowed from entering the examination centre at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre, Ibadan.

‎‎According to MURIC in a statement circulated to the media on Saturday, 18^th April, 2026 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola:

‎‎”Nigerians were stunned as they watched a video clip in which female Muslim candidates, including one Fatimah Salaudeen, were forced to remove their hijab as a condition for entry into the examination Hall at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre, along Sango–Eleyele Road, Ibadan, Oyo State on Friday, 17th April, 2026 (https://punchng-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/punchng.com/jamb-blames-overzealous-ad-hoc-staff-member-for-hijab-incident-at-ibadan-cbt-centre/).

‎‎”This action is emblematic of the notorious scenario in apartheid South Africa where ‘Dogs and Blacks Not Allowed’ was the common notice found in swimming pools and other public places. They appear to be telling Nigerians that University education is for Christians only. Those who practice it are therefore committing crime against humanity.

‎‎”JAMB itself must be commended for criminalising the profiling of hijab at CBT centers. It is on record that the examination body openly declared its allergy for hijab discrimination (See: Hijab discrimination not part of JAMB examination protocol – Official https://crimechannels.com/hijab-discrimination-not-part-of-jamb-examination-protocol-official/).

‎‎”Notwithstanding this red alert, some operators still allowed this criminal act to take place. For proper situational experimentation, we need to visualise what happens when a girl-child is disallowed from entering the examination hall. One can imagine how disturbed and disorganised the female Muslim candidates will be. It will definitely affect their composure for the exam.

“Their educational future immediately hangs in the balance. Their chances of passing the examination are drastically reduced because they are kept waiting outside the examination hall while other candidates continue writing.

“John Dewey, the American philosopher, once described democracy as equal opportunity. But where is the ‘equal opportunity’ for the Nigerian Muslim girl-child as she is turned to a subject of mockery, harassment and humiliation by Nigerian Christians at the entrance of JAMB examination hall? To this extent, democracy in Nigeria is a joke until the fundamental human right of the Muslim girl-child is enforced by governments at all levels.

‎‎”Unfortunately, nobody remembers to give the poor girl in hijab who has been denied entry any extra time by the time the matter is resolved and she is allowed to enter and start the examination. This is usually long after other candidates have started the examination and some may have finished. It shows that the candidates have not been given a level playing field. Hijab discrimination is therefore unfair, unjust and inhuman.

‎‎”It is alarming that Nigerian Christians are still stereotyping and persecuting the Muslim girl-child several years after the Supreme Court judgement upheld the use of hijab as constitutional simply because she is a Muslim. This reflects absence of religious tolerance, lack of respect for the rule of law and impunity of the highest order.

‎‎”The state governments of the South-West stand to be blamed for failing to act, for failing to enforce court judgements which support hijab and for failing to punish those who oppress and persecute the hijab-wearing Muslim girl-child. The silence of all the six state governors of the South-West in particular on the refusal of Christians in the region to allow Muslim girls to freely use hijab in spite of court rulings is deafening and it borders on irresponsibility, hypocrisy and executive recklessness.

‎‎”It is didactic to note that all the current Yoruba governors are Christians and none of them has spoken against this religious persecution. The principle of vicarious liability indicts these governors. They have enabled criminality, aided and abetted impunity and encouraged contempt of court.

‎‎”Are they waiting for the day Yoruba Muslims will take their destiny into their hands by rioting over hijab persecution? That day may not be too far away but they must blame themselves for their lackadaisical attitude on the issue. They always find it convenient to look the other way when Muslims are at the receiving end.

‎‎”MURIC demands that operators of CBT centres, JAMB ad hoc staff and security personnel in centres where acts of hijab discrimination occur must be castigated. The centres in particular should be delisted. The centre operators should not be allowed to claim ignorance (their usual excuse) because they are vicariously liable (unless they show written evidence of instructions to the contrary passed to those who committed the offence.

“MURIC wants to see accountability. We want to see respect for the rule of law. Rules are meant to be implemented for social order otherwise we are inviting commotion. By their attitude towards hijab, some Christians in position of authority continue to show that they have no regard for the rule of law.

“Due to the pro-Christian structure of Nigeria and an anti-Muslim legacy bequeathed to the nation by the Christian colonial masters and contemporary neo-imperialists, Nigerian Christians appear to have the wrong impression that all official matters in Nigeria must follow church rules.

“They see education as Christian education and legal matters as Christian law only to the exclusion of Muslim Shari’ah law. Nay, they also see Christians only as those who have the right to take WAEC and JAMB examinations. Any Muslim seeking education must drop all vestiges of Islam in him or her! His way of worship, his Islamic identity, his Muslim name, his manner of dressing, everything…just like the French total and categorical ‘assimilation’.

“Ceteris paribus, MURIC is of the opinion that the woman who removed Fatima’s hijab and probably the school also, should hear from our lawyer once we establish irrefutable locus standi in order to serve as deterrent to others. That will make other centres who have the same mindset about Muslims know that it is not going to be business as usual any longer.

“We warn that profiling and persecuting Muslims in Nigeria from now on is an invitation to bedlam. We appeal to Christian authorities not to push Muslim youths to the wall. To this end, we are drawing up a list of violators of the religious freedom of Muslims in Nigeria. Persecutors of Muslims on account of hijab and other civil rights will be top on the list which we intend to send to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the United Nations.

‎#JAMB

#United Nations

# National Human Rights Commission

April 18, 2026
Stop the Emotional Blackmail: South West Muslims Deserve Fair Governorship Representation -MURIC

-At a critical moment when political parties are making far-reaching decisions on candidates for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections across Southwest Nigeria, the call for justice, equity, and fairness must not be drowned by sentiments, bias, or emotional manipulation – MURIC

By Biola Lawal

Flowerbudnews: The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has reaffirmed its position that fairness ‘:must prevail in the distribution of political leadership, particularly in Osun,Ekiti, Ondo ,Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun States.”

This position was contained in a statement issued by the organisation’s Ogun State Chairman, Ustaadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, and made public by the State Secretary, Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare.

It reads:

Today, we find it necessary to extend our voice to states like Ondo,Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, and Ogun, where Christian candidates have consistently emerged and continued to dominate the political space, calling for a more inclusive and balanced representation that reflects the diversity of the people in these regions.

However, fairness demands balance. In Ogun State, where leadership is currently under a Christian governor, justice and equity require that a Muslim should be given the opportunity to be the next governor.

This is not a demand born out of bias, but a call for inclusiveness and equal representation.

In Lagos State, history is clear. Following the tenure of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the state has experienced over a decade of Christian leadership at the helm. True fairness dictates that Muslims should now be given the chance to lead for the next phase of governance.

Similarly, Oyo State has witnessed a pattern that calls for reflection. As 2027 approaches, it is only just and equitable that Muslims are given a fair opportunity to occupy the governorship seat.

It is both unfortunate and misleading that calls for fairness are often twisted into narratives of division or political sponsorship.*

Let it be clearly stated: MURIC is not sponsored by any politician or political machinery.

We are not enemies of the government. We are not enemies of our Christian brothers and sisters.

What we stand for is simple and universal: justice, fairness, and peaceful coexistence.

Those who attempt to reduce this call to mere religious agitation miss the point entirely.

This is not about religion, it is about humanity. It is about building a society where no group feels marginalized, overlooked, or silenced.*

A nation that fails to recognize the rights of all its people cannot truly progress.

And where there is no justice, there can be no peace.

Where there is no peace, development becomes nothing but an illusion.

We urge political stakeholders, party leaders, and the good people of Southwest Nigeria to rise above sentiments, manipulation, and emotional blackmail.

Let fairness guide decisions. Let justice shape the future. Let equity define our democracy.

Only then can we build a society where every citizen, regardless of belief, feels seen, valued, and represented. (Flowerbudnews)

April 3, 2026
MURIC Blasts Israeli Ambassador, Accuses Him of Terrorism Lie Against Iran

– “Israelis have no moral right to accuse any nation of terrorism .The whole world knows that aggression is in Israel’s DNA and terrorism is a state dogma. Israel flaunts state assassinations and revels in seas of blood. Arrogance, impunity and international criminality are the values and norms that Israel promotes. – MURIC

By Iyiola Olalere

‎‎Lagos: A rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the ambassador of Israel to Nigeria of somnambulism. This was sequel to the ambassador’s allegation that Iran was behind terrorism in Nigeria.

The group warned the ambassador to keep his tales by moonlight to the fairy angels in Tel Aviv and Washington.

‎‎MURIC’s comment was made in a statement circulated on Monday, 9^th March, 2026 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎‎He added the details below:

‎‎”Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, on Friday, 6^th March, 2026 accused Iran of being behind terrorism in Nigeria (https://www-vanguardngr-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2026/03/iran-behind-terrorism-in-nigeria/amp/).

‎‎”We reject Israel’s allegation totally, completely and categorically. This allegation is baseless, audacious and fallacious. Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria must have been somnambulating at the time he made the allegation.

‎‎”This is kettle calling pot black. Now we know sleep-walkers do not see clearly. Who is the terrorist between Israel and Iran? Who is the champion of state terrorism in the whole world?

”Who surrounded Gaza, denying the legitimate citizens food and water? Who has been engaging in targeted killing of Palestinian activists? Who assassinated Hamas leaders assembled for peaceful negotiations?

‎‎”Israelis have no moral right to accuse any nation of terrorism .The whole world knows that aggression is in Israel’s DNA and terrorism is a state dogma. Israel flaunts state assassinations and revels in seas of blood. Arrogance, impunity and international criminality are the values and norms that Israel promotes.

“As at March 6^th, 2026, at least 75,227 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the 7^th October invasion. Who killed them? 21,283 of these are children. More than 25,000 are women! 248 journalists are among those killed. 120 are university lecturers. Just a few days ago, Israel killed 165 girls in an Iranian school. What do we call that? Is it not a war crime?

‎‎”Lest the ambassador forgets, the November 21, 2024 warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza is still valid. The charges include using starvation as a weapon of war, murder and persecution. What else can we call state terrorism?

‎”To Michael Freeman, the Israeli Ambassador, we have this to say, ‘Keep your tales by moonlight to the fairy angels in Tel Aviv and Washington.

”You can railroad the White House. You can blackmail Arab leaders. Nigerians refuse to be hoodwinked. Sleep-walkers have no place here. Kudos to that journalist for shutting you up.”

‎

March 10, 2026
EL-RUFAI AIRPORT MELODRAMA: AVOID RIGHTS ABUSES – MURIC

‎A faith-based human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned Nigeria’s security agencies to avoid rights abuses. This was sequel to the failed attempt by men of the Department of State Security (DSS) to arrest Mallam Nasir El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja yesterday.

‎‎In a statement made available to newsmen by the rights advocacy group on Friday, MURIC specifically warned against giving America another excuse to intervene in the governance of Nigeria by creating a scenario of political victimisation and human rights abuses.

The statement, which was signed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, continued:

‎‎”Men of the Department of State Security (DSS) attempted to arrest Mallam Nasir El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday. However, a large crowd of supporters who thronged the airport to welcome the former governor made it impossible.

‎‎”MURIC strongly denounces the manner the operation was conducted. It was rowdy, disorderly and melodramatic. The airport scene lacked decorum. It was crude and blown out of proportion.

‎‎”Ditto for the snatching of El-Rufai’s international passport from his aide carried out a la Gestapo. This is absolutely unnecessary particularly for a public figure who has made no attempt to run away. He was returning to the country, not going outside Nigeria.

‎‎”Moreso since the former governor had allegedly given his word that he would report at the office of the security agencies. By the way, he would not have voluntarily returned to Nigeria if he had the intention of running away. So why the higgledy-piggledy?

‎‎”What happened at the airport yesterday was a violation of El-Rufai’s right to self-dignity as guaranteed in Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). It was an undisguised and unconstitutional attempt at public humiliation. It was most uncivilized, inhuman and degrading.

‎‎”It must be mentioned that Section 41 of the same Constitution guarantees freedom of movement in and out of the country and also within for every Nigerian citizen. The last time we checked, El-Rufai was still a Nigerian citizen.

‎‎”The desperation exhibited to arrest El-Rufai yesterday raised more questions than answers. Why are most politicians invited by EFCC from the opposition camp? Why does EFCC appear to have conveniently forgotten the sins of politicians who once had cases relating to financial misdemeanor once they belong to the ruling party?

‎‎”Is there a nexus between this and the statement allegedly made by a former chairman of the ruling party: ‘Once you join APC, all your sins are forgiven’? Was that statement intended to be a metaphor or a matter of fact?

‎‎”Nigeria is not alone. The world is watching. It is now a global village. We call on the ruling class to mind how they treat the opposition. America has already intervened militarily in the affairs of Nigeria. The same America should not be given another excuse on a platter of gold to intervene in the governance of this country. This may appear so if we create a scenario of political victimisation and human rights abuses.

‎‎”We need to note that intimidation of opposition members and human rights abuses was the main cassus belli given by the US to invade Venezuela. America is already here at the invitation of Christian hot gospellers. They do not need to invade. Neither do they need another invitation. America already has the noun ‘invitation’. It is only waiting for the verb ‘take over’.

‎

February 14, 2026
US TROOPS IN NIGERIA: MURIC SEEKS CLARIFICATIONS

By Flowerbudnews

‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has requested for clarifications over the presence of American troops in Nigeria. The group expressed concern for the safety of Muslim leaders in particular and the sovereignty of Nigeria in general. It interrogated US goal of protecting Nigerian Christians and also called on Nigerian leaders to take hold of the nation’s destiny.

‎‎This was contained in a statement circulated to the media on Friday, 6th February, 2026 by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎‎The full statement reads:

‎‎”The United States of America confirmed three days ago that its troops were already on ground in Nigeria (https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/us-military-says-some-forces-have-been-dispatched-nigeria-2026-02-03/).

‎‎”The Federal Government (FG) also confirmed this later on the same day (https://dailytrust.com/dhq-admits-us-troops-in-nigeria/?noamp=aavailable; https://www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/) although the Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, later said they were ‘not combat forces’ (https://businessday.ng/news/article/us-troops-in-nigeria-are-not-combat-forces-says-defence-minister/)

‎‎”MURIC considers this development as an overreach and the secrecy surrounding US troop deployment to Nigeria disturbing. While we welcome cooperation between Nigeria and the US in the fight against terrorism, we do not think US boots on ground is necessary. In the first place, we regard it as a discriminatory, and selective response of the US to the question of religious persecution in Nigeria.

“We assert that there is nothing like Christian genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism, insecurity and religious persecution on both sides of Christians and Muslims and what we lack is religious tolerance.

“For greater clarity, Muslims in Southern Nigeria have been suffering from religious persecution in the hands of their Christian compatriots for decades if not centuries. These persecutions are legendary although the Nigerian authorities have turned deaf ears to their cries to date. But Southern Muslims have not taken it upon themselves to falsely accuse their Christian counterparts of ‘Muslim genocide’.

“The case of terrorism and other issues of insecurity are another cup of tea and it affects Nigerians of all faith. It therefore beggars belief that America, a nation regarded as the champion of democracy, freedom and equal rights will descend on Nigeria to selectively fight or ‘protect’ one group.

“If the US should promote democratic principles of freedom of religion in Nigeria at all, it has a moral duty not to be selective but to promote freedom for both Christians and Muslims who are in captivity. There should be no selective solutions to religious persecution anywhere in the world.

“If, therefore, it is true that US troops are already on ground in Nigeria, we demand that there should be no clampdown on religious activities of Muslims or on Muslim leaders. No Muslim leader should disappear or be assassinated and no renditions.

“We note that the Federal Government (FG) called the American forces on ground a ‘small team’. But even that ‘small team’ of US troops in Nigeria amounts to the presence of a Christian Army in view of the emphasis given the goal of US invasion embodied in US President Trump’s pre-strike and pre-US-troops’ deployment rhetoric (protecting Nigerian Christians).

“‎Against this backdrop, the perception of Nigerian Muslims (and the global Muslim community) concerning the presence of US troops in Nigeria would have been different if America’s stated goal ab initio had been to protect law abiding Nigerians (including people of all faiths) to eliminate terrorists and to stop the spate of killings generally.

“‎But the stated objective of protecting Christians only makes any American boot on ground in Nigeria a Christian Army (with all its implications). It also constitutes a threat to global peace as many people around the world, especially Muslims now see the presence of American troops in the country as an attempt to intimidate the Nigerian majority Muslim population.

“Millions of Southern Muslims have been forcefully converted to Christianity, particularly in the South West while thousands of Muslims in the South East face the threat of death unless they converted to Christianity. A new video clip which emerged last week showed a Christian militant from the South East inciting Christians to kill any Muslim they see around. Hundreds of Muslims have been killed in the South East in the past ten years.

“Those Muslims in Southern Nigeria who have persevered in the face of persecution in the hands of their Christian neighbours and those who have also resisted attempts at forced conversion will find it difficult to believe that the ‘small team’ of US troops is not a Christian Army eventually deployed to force them to accept Christianity at gun point unless America waters down its pro-Christian and anti-Muslim rhetoric by using such language that reflects respect for the dignity of Nigerian Muslims.

“In the same way that mainstream Nigerian Muslims will not surrender to terrorism, we will not give in to imperialist intimidation. What is happening today is not different from neo-imperialist terrorism. Already, some Nigerian Christians have started using the presence of US troops in Nigeria to harass Muslims in the country. This is absolutely unacceptable (https://www-vanguardngr-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2026/02/anti-terror-war-ex-militant-leader-warns-dokubo-gumi-over-reported-arrival-of-u-s-troops-in-nigeria/amp/).

While interviewing the son of a former Nigerian president who is a Muslim, an anchor lady on a popular Nigerian cable television network also said the US strike was targeted at Sokoto so as to emphasise the importance of a Christian cleric who lives in the city and to earn him more respect!

“We assert very firmly that Nigerian Muslims will hold the National Assembly (NASS) responsible for failing to ask the necessary questions. What part of the cooperation between Nigeria and the US necessitates the presence of US troops on Nigerian soil? Has the Nigerian Constitution been suspended? Was the NASS carried along? Why did the Federal Government (FG) fail to inform Nigerians about the plan? Who is paying for the operation, the accommodation of US troops, feeding, etc: Nigerian tax payers or US tax payers?

“‎Before we exit from this conversation, we note that the conspiratorial silence from the Nigerian civil society, students bodies, workers unions, etc on the issue of American troops on Nigerian soil is baffling. If these groups are silent because of the assumption that America has come for Nigerian Muslims only, we remind them of the words of Martin Niemöller, a German Lutheran pastor in the hands of Nazi Germany.

He said, ‘First they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the socialists and I did not speak out
because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me’.

“By the way, FG described the presence of the American troops in the country as a

‎’small’ team of American soldiers. This description needs to be interrogated. How ‘small’ is ‘small’?

February 8, 2026
Christian Genocide: 210 Muslims massacred in one day — MURIC

Sequel to the massacre of about 210 Muslims in Kwara and Katsina States on February 4, 2026, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused promoters of the Christian genocide narrative of being bad judges and Satanic referees for closing their eyes on the killing of large numbers of Muslims while concentrating on what happened to Christians only.

The accusation by MURIC was contained in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday.

Akintola said: “About 175 Muslims were massacred in Woro town, Kwara State while another 35 Muslims were mercilessly shot and killed on Tuesday, 3rd February, 2026 in Doma village, Faskari Local Government, Ruwangodiya Constituency in the Northern part of Katsina State (https://www.straitstimes.com/world/gunmen-kill-nearly-200-in-nigerias-kwara-and-katsina-attacks).

“We are appalled by these senseless killings. We demand full protection for Nigerians of all faiths and ethnicities. Every Nigerian deserves Allah-given fundamental human right to life.

“Section 14(2)(b), Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says: ‘The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.’ But Nigerian citizens are no longer safe. The killing of a single Nigerian is condemnable but what do we say when 210 citizens are massacred? This is one killing too many.

“We therefore call on the Federal Government (FG) to protect all its citizens, including Muslims, Christians and traditionalists. We will not be parochial like those who ignore the killing of Muslims and are calling for the protection of Christians alone. Every life matters to us. Every Nigerian should be protected no matter the faith.

“This is where America’s vow and its recurring refrain ‘to protect Christians’ alone in Nigeria assaults the psyche of the whole of humanity. It is petty, arrogant and disproportionately militant. America would have won the heart of the global community if it had declared an intention to stop indiscriminate killings in Nigeria but alas it came ‘guns ablazing’ to protect Christians only. This makes any American boot on ground in Nigeria a Christian Army with all its implications.

“The latest massacre involving an astounding number of 210 Muslims has made a mince meat of the lopsided and malicious narratives of Christian genocide, particularly Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan’s legal brief, Rev. Ezekiel Bwede Dachomo’s superfluous dramatisation, the hysterical and hypocritical tirade from Christian leaders of North Central Nigeria and the Nigerian media hype of same.

“At the risk of sounding judgemental, all the above may be seen as bad judges and Satanic referees for closing their eyes on the killing of large numbers of Muslims while concentrating on what happened to Christians only.

“Now we must ask them all: is it still Christians alone who are being killed? We may also ask America, ‘Is it Christian lives alone that matter? Are Muslims, Buddhists, Confucians, etc not homo sapiens? Won’t the world as a whole be a safer place if all human beings are protected regardless of faith, race or colour?”

February 5, 2026
CHANGE NAMES OF SCHOOLS TAKEN OVER BY GOVERNMENT – MURIC

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎By Flowerbudnews

‎An Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has opined that the names of schools taken over by the government should be changed to names that reflect public ownership.

‎

‎In a statement issued on Monday, 26th January, 2026, the group contended that such a change would reduce, if it does not totally eliminate, the influence and entitlement posturing of religious organisations. The press release was signed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎

‎It reads further:

‎

‎”Baptist Primary School, Idikan, Ibadan in Oyo State was demolished by the Baptist Mission late in December 2026 (https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/31/residents-protest-demolition-of-primary-school-in-ibadan/).

‎

‎”Although the action generated a huge controversy and parents held demonstrations, the Baptist group stuck to its gun. They insisted that the school belonged to them originally before it was taken over by government in 1975.

‎

‎”MURIC sees the need to find a lasting solution to the recurrent controversy on school ownership, influence and ultimate control. The status quo is not immune from religious crisis as former owners continue to claim ownership and wield immense influence. It is our considered opinion that this is not the way to take over schools effectively.

‎

‎”A permanent solution will come when the names of schools taken over by the government are changed to names that reflect public ownership. Such a change would reduce, if it does not totally eliminate, the influence and entitlement posturing of religious organisations. It will also douse tension in religious circles as well as debilitate the capacity for religious persecution in the education sector.

‎

‎”We therefore urge various state governments who are still running and funding schools taken over long ago but which are still bearing nomenclatures of their former owners to summon the political will to take the final step that will ensure total takeover.

‎

‎”It is the only logical line of action if the Idikan episode is to be avoided in future. Afterall those former school owners were all fully compensated and the schools are now being funded by government while renovations and additional infrastructural facilities have been added after the takeover. Former owners who still lay claim to such schools have eaten their cakes. They cannot have it. It amounts to fraud for religious groups to continue to lay claim to such schools.”

‎

‎‎#1975SchoolsTakeover

‎#ChangeNamesOfMissionSchools

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

January 26, 2026
TIME FOR FG TO REDISTRIBUTE WEALTH – MURIC

By

An appeal has gone to the Federal Government (FG) to redistribute wealth throughout the country in order to eliminate the current grinding poverty. The appeal was made by a faith-based human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

In a statement issued by the Executive Director of the group on Monday, 15^th September, 2025, MURIC lamented the growing trend of extensive poverty among the working class caused by alarmingly poor salaries amid fat and disproportionate remuneration for the political class.

The group said further:

“There is growing restlessness among the Nigerian working class. University lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have threatened to go on strike. In the same vein, resident doctors have given government notice of a strike. Similarly, hospital nurses have just resumed from a warning strike today, Monday, 15^th September, 2025.

“In the face of this gloomy socio-economic scenario, the Federal Government (FG) is reportedly considering increment in the earnings of politicians (https://lagostelevision.com/2025/08/19/fg-considers-pay-raise-for-political-office-holders/).

“Apart from an army of unemployed graduates, the condition of the working class in Nigeria is pitiable. The take-home-pay of the proletariat cannot take him home. Market prices which hit the roof more than a year ago are now up in the skies, aiming at Jupiter. Inflation rate was 21.88 as at July 2025.

“There is widespread hunger and starvation in the country. The North is bleeding. The South is barely surviving. Strangulated and suffocated, the jamaahiir at the bottom of the pyramid of poverty can hardly breathe.

“While we appreciate the ongoing economic reform launched by the FG, we call for immediate reordering of the sharing pattern of our common patrimony. Only an equitable and proportionate readjustment of the salaries of workers and politicians can stem the current tide and bring about socio-economic justice.

“We also appeal to FG to reconsider its attempt to increase the wages of politicians (https://lagostelevision.com/2025/08/19/fg-considers-pay-raise-for-political-office-holders/) when, already, a senator allegedly earns a whooping N21 million monthly compared to a professor’s meager monthly salary of N633,333 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/08/looming-crisis-in-universities-professors-earn-n633333-senators-n21-million/).

“This sad development has caused brain drain in the universities. Exempli gratia, 239 first class lecturers left the University of Lagos (Unilag) in the last seven years over poor pay (https://thelagosianmagazine.com.ng/239-first-class-lecturers-quit-unilag-over-poor-pay-ex-vc/).

“Medical doctors and nurses are leaving the country in droves. At least 50 doctors leave Nigeria weekly (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/10/brain-drain-50-doctors-leave-nigeria-every-week-nma/). More than 15,000 nurses left Nigeria in 2024 alone (https://punchng.com/japa-association-raises-the-alarm-as-over-15000-nurses-leave-nigeria-in-2024/).

“MURIC laments the growing trend of extensive poverty and abject penury among the working class caused by alarmingly poor salaries amid fat, humongous and disproportionate remuneration for the political class.

“Nigeria’s lawmakers and other public office holders are already overpaid, overfed and overpampered. Their salaries should not be increased further. On the contrary, it is the working class who have been overworked, overtaxed but underpaid whose salaries should be increased, and promptly too.”

#NorthIsBleeding

#RedistributeWealth

#Politiciand Overpaid

#IncreaseWorkersWages

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

September 15, 2025
LOOMING STRIKE IN OIL SECTOR: MURIC BERATES UNIONS

MURIC Director, Ishaq Akintola

By

Crisis looms in Nigeria’s oil sector as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) threatens to go on strike over a disagreement with Dangote Refinery on the participation of Dangote workers in the petroleum body.

However, a faith-based human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has urged the unions to key into Dangote’s vision of reduced hardship for Nigerians through low price of petrol.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, 9^th September, 2025 by the Founder and Executive Director of the Islamic civil liberties organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to go on strike over a disagreement with Dangote Refinery on the participation of Dangote workers in the petroleum body. Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is also in alliance with NUPENG on the issue (https://punchng.com/dangote-vs-nupeng-union-insists-on-strike-meets-fg-others-today/).

“MURIC calls on the unions to soft-pedal. This is not the best time to go on strike. Nigeria is just coming out of the woods as a result of the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration. A strike in the oil sector at this point in time can derail the reforms and take us back to the dark days of fuel shortages.

“We have seen the good effect of the emergence of a local private refinery in the last few months. We saw how one litre of petrol which used to cost N1,300 after the removal of subsidy came down drastically. It is now N860 or N900 depending on location after Dangote refinery came to the rescue.

“We appeal to the unions to allow Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of a local refinery that is already being celebrated all over the world. Ethiopia and Dangote Refinery recently signed a $2.5 billion deal to build a massive fertilizer plant in Ethiopia (https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerias-dangote-ethiopia-build-25-billion-fertiliser-plant-2025-08-28/). The United States imported over two million barrels of Dangote’s jet fuel in March 2025 (https://theelectricityhub.com/dangote-refinery-gains-global-recognition-as-u-s-imports-over-2m-barrels-of-jet-fuel/).

“MURIC subscribes to the core principle of utilitarianism which is the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people. We therefore urge the unions to key into Dangote’s vision of reduced hardship for Nigerians through low price of petrol. This can only be facilitated if the unions cooperate in the area of diminished middlemen’s intervention. It can still be done without breaking the rules of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

“We appeal to the Federal Government (FG) to protect Dangote Refinery from this calculated attempt to blackmail it. Unionism often leads to oligarchic dictatorship which benefits only a few union leaders, their puppets and their court jesters leaving the hoi polloi at the receiving end. FG stands to gain if the price of petrol is drastically reduced as this will boost the gains of its economic reform.

“Nigeria needs every hand on deck as things stand. With a GDP growth of 3.13% in the first quarter of 2025 which is higher than the 2.27% in the same period in 2024 and the inflation rate reduced to 21.88 in July 2025 compared to the scary economic outlook in 2023 and 2024, FG cannot afford to relent on these gains by allowing aggressive unionism to scuttle the gains.

“Besides, the action of these unions is capable of discouraging investors who have already started showing interest in Nigeria. For instance, Brazil has indicated strong interest.

“Other countries which have shown interest in investing here include China, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Republic of South Africa. FG must not leave foreign investors to the hawks in the garb of unionism. FG must do everything necessary to avoid another round of fuel shortages. This is the time to show prospective foreign investors that their investments will be protected. But Dangote must be protected first because charity, they say, begins at home.

“We remind Nigerians that Dangote’s policy of reduced middlemen’s influence will keep prices down. Subsidy thieves of those days can be compared to petroleum middlemen of today. They both make prices go higher.

“The unions are accusing Dangote Refinery of monopoly and enslavement, but what Nigerians see is economic emancipation and reduction in the prices of petroleum products.

“We therefore urge traditional rulers, opinion leaders and all men of goodwill to persuade both NUPENG and PENGASSAN to let Dangote and the Nigerian people breathe.”

#DangoteRefinery

#NupengPengassan

#LetDangoteNigeriansBreathe

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

September 9, 2025