The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on state governments to change the names of schools taken over from religious bodies, argued that such a move would reinforce public ownership and reduce religious influence in the education sector.
In a press statement issued on Monday, January 26, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group said retaining the original religious names of government-controlled schools encourages entitlement claims by former owners.
According to MURIC, the continued use of mission-based names has contributed to recurring disputes over ownership, influence, and control. The group cited the recent demolition of Baptist Primary School, Idikan, Ibadan, by the Baptist Mission in December 2025 as an example of the consequences of unresolved ownership tensions.
Professor Akintola noted that despite protests and public outcry over the incident, the mission authorities insisted that the school originally belonged to them before it was taken over by the government in 1975.
“MURIC sees the need to find a lasting solution to the recurrent controversy on school ownership, influence, and ultimate control,” the statement read. “The status quo is not immune from religious crisis as former owners continue to claim ownership and wield immense influence.”
The organisation maintained that renaming such schools to reflect public ownership would help eliminate religious entitlement and reduce tension in the education sector.
“A permanent solution will come when the names of schools taken over by the government are changed to names that reflect public ownership,” MURIC stated, adding that the move would also weaken the capacity for religious persecution in schools.
MURIC further urged state governments still funding and managing former mission schools to demonstrate political will by completing the takeover process through renaming.
The group emphasized that religious bodies had already been compensated at the time of takeover and that the schools are now maintained with public funds, including renovations and infrastructural upgrades.
“Former owners who still lay claim to such schools have eaten their cakes. They cannot have it,” the statement said, describing continued claims as fraudulent.
The organisation concluded that renaming government-controlled schools remains the most logical step to prevent future conflicts and promote harmony in the education sector.
