In Edo State, tension is rising as Muslim organizations have strongly opposed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s plan to return eight public schools to the Catholic Mission.
Two well-known organizations, Edo Muslims for Equity and Good Governance (EMEGG) and the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Edo State chapter, are leading the demonstration.
They are pleading with the governor to reevaluate the decision, claiming that it does not benefit the Muslim instructors and students who are currently enrolled in those schools.
Governor Okpebholo authorized the transfer of eight government-owned schools to the Catholic Church on Monday, according to the DAILY POST.
Following a meeting between the governor and Bishop Gabriel G. Dunia of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, his media assistant, Fred Itua, made the announcement.
The following educational institutions are impacted: St. Joseph College, Otuo; St. Mary’s Grammar School, Eme-Ora; St. Aloysius Gonzaga Grammar School, Ososo; St. Peter’s Grammar School, Agenebode; St. James’s Grammar School, Afuze; St. John Grammar School, Fugar; St. Angela’s Grammar School, Uzairue; and Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi.
The governor clarified that any of the schools currently undergoing government-funded renovations will remain under state management until those works are completed.
Bishop Dunia, commenting on the development, said the Church had long sought the return of its original schools but previous administrations failed to respond positively.
He added that the mission’s role is not only to provide academic instruction but also to instil sound moral values that support a better society.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from the Muslim community. EMEGG, in a joint statement issued by General Coordinator Sirajudeen Muhammad and Secretary Abdullah Umar, argued that although the Catholic mission may have initiated some of the schools, the lands were largely donated by host communities, many of which are Muslim-majority.
They underlined that these institutions should continue to be inclusive as they have been supported over the years by public monies and taxes paid by the state’s Muslims and Christians.
The group urged the government to safeguard the interests of all citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliation, and cautioned that the transfer would endanger the rights and representation of Muslims in the impacted schools.
Abdulaziz Igbinidu, the NSCIA Chairman for Edo State, also questioned the justification for giving the schools back to a religious organization after the government had spent a significant amount of money on their restoration. The Muslim community feels left out and ignored in the decision-making process, he emphasized.
Zakariyah Musa, Chairman of the Edo North Council of Ulama, also condemned the decision, describing it as unfair to Muslim pupils currently enrolled in the schools.
He added that as a leader for all, Governor Okpebholo should have ensured inclusive dialogue before making such a critical decision.
He revealed that the Ulama Council, alongside other Islamic stakeholders, plans to meet with the governor to seek clarity and possibly reverse the action, asking, “What becomes of Muslim students and teachers in these schools?”
Imam Harun Umar of the Edo South Council of Ulama warned that the move could have far-reaching consequences beyond its educational intent.
While acknowledging that the governor may have intended to improve discipline and academic excellence, he maintained that such goals can be achieved through other inclusive means.
Umar urged the governor to hold extensive consultations before moving further, stressing the importance of doing so. The government has established a five-member implementation committee, he said, adding that he hopes the team will include community and religious stakeholders in its deliberations.
Additionally, he cautioned that the handover would alienate not only Muslims but also non-Catholic Christians, and suggested that the process be halted until additional discussions are conducted.
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