By Sodiq Adelakun
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused some officials of the Lagos State education system of allegedly compelling Muslim students in public schools to attend Christian themed events disguised as empowerment and educational programmes.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Lagos State Chairman, Dr. Busari Muhammad Jamiu Ademola, MURIC urged the state government to caution education officers across districts and stop what it described as “Christianisation activities” in public schools.
According to the group, some principals and district officials have continued to coerce Muslim students into attending religiously biased gatherings despite repeated complaints.
“We have credible evidence that some public school officials are using empowerment or leadership programmes as a cover to promote Christian teachings to Muslim students. This is deceptive, unconstitutional, and unacceptable,” the statement read.
MURIC cited the Mind Builders Conference organised by the Future African Leaders Foundation on September 26, 2025, as a recent example, alleging that students from more than 20 public schools including FESTAC Girls Secondary School and Creek High School were directed to attend what later turned out to be a Christian assembly.
The group also alleged that some principals had blocked Muslim students from registering for Islamic Studies in the 2025 WAEC examinations, instead compelling them to take Christian Religious Studies (CRS).
MURIC further expressed concern over the continued harassment of female Muslim students wearing hijab, despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming their constitutional right to do so.
Dr. Ademola called on Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu to intervene by directing Tutor Generals and Permanent Secretaries in education districts to halt all discriminatory practices.
He urged Muslim parents, teachers, and students to remain peaceful but vigilant and to report any case of religious coercion to the appropriate authorities.
“MURIC will continue to monitor developments to ensure that no Muslim child in Lagos public schools is forced into activities or beliefs that contradict their faith,” the statement added.