MURIC Condemns Withdrawal of Lagos BECE Timetable, Alleges Religious Bias
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised the handling of the Lagos State Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) timetable after authorities withdrew the schedule following public objections over a clash with Friday congregational prayers, describing the development as evidence of what it called institutional discrimination against Muslims.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, the organisation’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the timetable initially scheduled Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK)for Friday, 3 July, between 12:00 noon and 2:10 p.m., a period that coincides with the weekly Jumu’ah prayers observed by Muslims.
The timetable was subsequently withdrawn by the Lagos State authorities after widespread public criticism, with officials indicating that a revised version would be released. However, no official explanation accompanied the withdrawal.
Reacting to the development, MURIC argued that the scheduling reflected what it described as Islamophobia, dereliction of duty and official negligence, insisting that the examination should never have been fixed during Friday prayer hours.
According to the organisation, the decision raised concerns about inclusivity within the committee responsible for preparing the timetable and suggested that Muslim stakeholders were not adequately represented during the planning process.
MURIC further questioned why similar controversies over examinations and official programmes clashing with Friday prayers continue to arise despite previous public debates on the issue, describing the situation as avoidable.
The group alleged that the omission reflected broader structural challenges affecting Muslims in parts of the South-West and claimed that religious considerations were not receiving equal attention within government institutions.
It also criticised the leadership of the examination body, arguing that stronger oversight should have prevented the publication of a timetable that immediately generated public controversy.
The organisation maintained that accountability should accompany such administrative errors, saying that in other jurisdictions officials responsible for similar lapses could face disciplinary measures.
MURIC also renewed its longstanding call for greater inclusion of Muslims in public appointments and decision-making structures, arguing that balanced representation would help prevent future conflicts over matters affecting religious observance.
The rights group recommended that all public examinations scheduled for Fridays should conclude before 12 noon, noting that the arrangement would allow Muslim candidates to participate in congregational prayers without academic disruption.
It further argued that Nigeria’s administrative structures continue to reflect historical imbalances inherited from the colonial period and called for reforms that would provide what it described as equal treatment for adherents of different faiths.
The organisation warned against any return to practices that, in its view, restrict religious freedom and pledged to continue advocating constitutional protections for Muslim communities through lawful means.
The statement was signed by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Founder and Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
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