The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed outrage over the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) International School's decision to lock out Muslim students who wear hijab. According to MURIC's Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the school's action is discriminatory, tyrannical, and violates the students' fundamental human rights. The incident occurred in October 2026, when hijab-wearing female Muslim students were denied entry to the school unless they removed their hijabs.
The locked-out students were forced to wait until December 2026, when the university council would deliberate on the matter. Eventually, they surrendered and removed their hijabs to gain re-entry to the school. MURIC has condemned the school's arm-twisting tactics, stating that it is a gross violation of the students' Allah-given fundamental human rights. The organization also accused the school authorities of stereotyping and hate-induced policy, which it categorizes as aggravated islamophobia.
MURIC's statement highlights the universality of hijab, citing its common use in schools in London, Paris, and New York. The organization questions why hijab has become a contentious issue on a Nigerian university campus, suggesting that eligibility for school attendance should be based on academic performance, not attire. Akintola also expressed concern that some Muslim staff members at the university are unhappy with the development but have chosen to remain silent.
The MURIC chief argues that the persecution of Muslim students affects not just the Muslim community but also the global Muslim population, citing the Prophet's (SAW) statement that the Muslim Ummah is a single body. He warns that the incident may lead to Muslim children converting to other faiths out of frustration if they feel unprotected. The organization demands to know why the rights of Muslim children must be sacrificed and questions the school's authority to dictate what Muslim girls can or cannot wear.
MURIC charges the OAU and International School authorities with respecting the laws of the land regarding freedom of religion, guaranteed in Section 38(i) and (ii) of the Nigerian Constitution. The organization argues that the school's rule prohibiting hijab is unlawful and unconstitutional. Akintola also expresses concern that the school's actions may provoke the Muslim population and threaten campus and communal peace.
The incident has sparked debate about the role of faith in education and the limits of school authorities in regulating students' attire. MURIC has called on the OAU and International School authorities to lift the ban on hijab unconditionally and immediately. The organization argues that a citadel of learning like OAU should support girl-child education, not champion the exclusion of underage girls from school.
The controversy highlights the challenges of balancing individual rights with institutional policies in Nigeria's diverse and often contentious social landscape. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders will be watching to see how OAU and its International School authorities respond to MURIC's demands and navigate the complex issues surrounding faith, education, and human rights.
Key points
- MURIC condemns OAU International School's hijab policy as discriminatory and tyrannical.
- The school's action sparks debate about faith, education, and human rights in Nigeria.
- MURIC demands unconditional lifting of the ban on hijab in the International School.
