Nigerian preachers urge Christian students to boycott compulsory Islamic studies in school

Christian preachers in Nigeria have criticized the government's decision to impose compulsory Islamic studies in schools and are now calling on Christian students to boycott the classes.

Last week, Christian leaders associated with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) met in Lagos to discuss their opposition to the introduction of Arabic Sstudies in secondary schools in Nigeria.

The religious leaders present at the meeting include Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor W.F. Kumuyi of Deeper Life Bible Church, Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church, Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) and Reverend Felix Omobude.

The leaders called for the immediate reversal of the revised Basic Education Curriculum, especially the removal of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) as part of a subject known as Religion and National Values, NAIJ reported. The pastors argued that CRS should be considered as a separate subject just as it has always been.

They also called on Christian students across Nigeria to "not attend Arabic classes," claiming that the government lacks the authority to force the children to attend the compulsory lessons.

"We are aware of orchestrated plans to subtly use this policy as a means of forceful religious indoctrination and we maintain our stand against it," the PFN stated.

"Government has no right to force subjects on any any Nigerian child neither does it have the authority to drop Christian Religious Studies at the Senior Secondary School level while asking him/her to continue to read Islamic Studies which he/she cannot do at university level," said Oyedepo.

The bishop also emphasized that the removing CRS from the curriculum automatically meant that it would not be embraced at the tertiary institutions.

Omobude, who serves as the national president of PFN, expressed concern over the controversy surrounding the revised Basic Education Curriculum and pointed to the case of in Kwara State where a Christian female student was allegedly beaten and forced to take Arabic Studies against her wish.

Meanwhile, Kate Nwufo, the acting Executive Secretary of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, denied claims that CRS has been removed from the curriculum.

"We have developed a curriculum on religion and national values to expose pupils to see relationship between moral values - which entails religion, social values - and civic values," she said.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, the largest Christian organization in Nigeria, has alleged that there is discrimination against Christian students in the curriculum and has called on the government to publish full details of the new courses.