The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Ogun State Area Unit, on Sunday faulted the reported plan by Governor Dapo Abiodun to return public schools to their original missionary owners, describing the move as discriminatory and detrimental to public education.
The group, in a statement issued on April 12, 2026, and signed by its Amir, AbdulFatah Akanni Adigun, condemned the governor’s declaration allegedly made on April 10 while hosting Catholic Church officials, including the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria and bishops from Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta.
The statement said the proposed policy, if implemented, would undermine educational access, threaten religious harmony, and violate constitutional provisions guiding public education.
The society argued that transferring ownership of public schools to religious bodies under the guise of “partnership” amounted to the “privatisation of public assets built with taxpayers’ funds.”
It noted, “A genuine partnership requires mutual contribution and shared accountability, not a unilateral transfer of government-owned institutions to private religious control.”
The MSSN maintained that similar policies in other parts of the country had resulted in increased school fees, restricted access, and alleged marginalisation of students from different religious backgrounds.
Raising legal concerns, the group insisted that the Ogun State Government lacked the constitutional authority to transfer ownership of public schools without legislative backing and a clearly defined transition framework.
Citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the society said the government had a responsibility to provide inclusive and non-discriminatory public education.
The group further warned that the proposed move could trigger disruptions in academic activities, including examination processes and record management, particularly for students in critical classes.
It added that the policy could worsen existing challenges in the education sector, especially in areas with high student population such as Abeokuta South, where it claimed many schools were originally established by missionaries.
The MSSN also expressed concern over the fate of teachers, noting that thousands of educators currently employed by the state could face job insecurity, stalled career progression, or possible disengagement if the schools are handed over to private religious organisations.
“The transfer does not automatically guarantee the protection of teachers’ rights, including pensions and job security, thereby exposing them to uncertainty,” the statement added.
The group warned that the policy could erode Ogun State’s long-standing tradition of religious tolerance and coexistence, stressing that public schools had historically served as neutral spaces for all citizens irrespective of faith.
It called on the governor to immediately rescind the decision in the interest of peace and equity, urging stakeholders, including religious leaders, education unions, and civil society groups, to oppose the move.
“We demand the immediate withdrawal of this declaration to preserve the integrity of public education and ensure that schools remain accessible to all without religious bias,” the statement said.
Efforts to get a response from the Ogun State Government as of the time of filing this report were unsuccessful.
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