The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State of abdicating his constitutional responsibilities following the state government’s decision to return 36 public schools to Christian missionary organizations.
The group’s reaction comes after the governor, on June 16, approved the handover of eight schools in Auchi, a Muslim-majority area in Edo North Senatorial District, to the Catholic Diocese of Auchi. A week later, the state government reportedly approved the return of 28 additional schools in Edo Central and South senatorial districts.
In a strongly worded statement issued Wednesday and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC condemned the policy as “archaic, anachronistic, myopic and a tragic return to colonial days.”
“This policy is a clear abdication of responsibility by the Edo State Government. Both federal and state governments have a duty to provide inclusive, public education. Returning public schools to missionaries is a subtle way of dodging this responsibility,” the statement read.
MURIC also raised concerns about the possible decline in the quality of education, alleging that missionary-run schools have a history of religious bias, especially against Muslim students. The group cited past instances of alleged coercion and discrimination in such institutions.
“Christian missionaries running schools in predominantly Muslim areas are known for neo-colonial tendencies and the intimidation of Muslim students. These fears have already been raised by the Edo State Council for Islamic Affairs,” Akintola added, referencing a recent report by The Guardian.
The group also questioned the rationale behind the policy, considering that the state’s 2024 budget allocated over ₦32.2 billion to education, a figure later revised upward to ₦485.6 billion.
“How does a government with increased funding for education suddenly transfer its responsibilities to private religious bodies?” MURIC queried.
The group warned that the return of schools to missionary organizations could jeopardize the current free education policy of the state government and may result in discriminatory admission practices.
MURIC, therefore, called on Governor Okpebholo to immediately reverse the decision in the interest of fairness, equity, and religious harmony.
