Middle Belt Forum Condemns School Closures in Northern Sharia States

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the recent closure of both public and private schools in some Sharia-practicing states of Northern Nigeria, calling the move discriminatory and harmful to non-Muslim students.

In a press statement signed by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the MBF expressed outrage that the school closures also affect Southern Kebbi and Southern Bauchi, which the group identifies as integral parts of the Middle Belt. The forum sees this development as proof that the implementation of Sharia law in these states does not distinguish between Muslims and non-Muslims, a long-standing concern among non-Muslim communities in the region.

“It is deeply unjust that non-Muslim students and pupils should suffer significant setbacks in their education simply because Muslims in these states wish to fulfill their religious obligations,” the statement read.

The MBF further argued that keeping students at home while their peers in other regions continue attending classes puts them at a disadvantage, especially in preparation for national examinations. The group equated the school closures with Boko Haram’s ideology, which opposes Western education, warning that such policies indicate a gradual shift away from Nigeria’s secular governance.

“This regressive directive is yet another manifestation of Boko Haram’s ideology. The rest of Nigeria must not take this lightly, as it is evident that these Sharia states are gradually distancing themselves from Nigeria’s secular framework,” the statement continued.

The forum reiterated its long-standing demand for the restructuring of Nigeria, citing the growing intolerance toward the rights and freedoms of non-Muslims in some Northern states as a key reason.

In a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the MBF urged decisive action to prevent further religious fundamentalism in the country. It also criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for not taking a firmer stance in maintaining Nigeria’s secular status during his administration, suggesting that clearer enforcement of constitutional secularism could have prevented the current situation.

The MBF called on President Tinubu to learn from past leadership and take a firm stand in safeguarding the rights of all Nigerians, regardless of religion, against what it described as “oppressive effects of Sharia-based policies.”

Growing Concerns Over Religious Policies

The controversy over school closures is the latest in a series of tensions regarding the role of religion in governance in parts of Nigeria. While some Northern states have argued that implementing Sharia-based policies aligns with their religious and cultural values, critics warn that such policies increasingly infringe upon the rights of non-Muslims.

Observers believe this latest move will add further weight to ongoing calls for a constitutional review and restructuring of Nigeria’s governance system to address long-standing regional grievances.

As debates continue, the MBF’s strong condemnation is expected to spark further national discussions on the balance between religious freedom and the country’s secular constitution.