The Association of Traditional Worshippers in Nigeria has condemned reported threats by a Muslim group to stage a protest over the Nigerian Law School’s enforcement of its dress code during the ongoing Bar Final Examinations, demanding equal treatment and religious accommodation for adherents of African Traditional Religion.
The association said it supported the Law School’s decision to enforce its established examination regulations, particularly following reports that some Muslim students wore hijabs in breach of the prescribed dress code.
However, it argued that if Muslim students were granted permission to wear hijabs on religious grounds, adherents of traditional African religions should enjoy the same consideration and be allowed to manifest their religious identities without discrimination.
In a statement signed by the Association of Traditional Worshippers in Nigeria, the group said it was opposed to what it described as selective recognition of religious rights in the country.
It said, “Our position, however, is founded on the inviolable principle of equality, religious freedom and non-discrimination. If Muslim students are permitted to wear hijabs during examinations on the basis of religious convictions, then students who practise traditional African religions must equally be permitted to manifest their religious identities and convictions without discrimination, marginalisation or institutional hostility.”
The association commended the Nigerian Law School authorities for enforcing their regulations, saying institutions could not function effectively if rules were subjected to religious pressure or intimidation.
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👉 JOIN GISTSMATE WHATSAPP CHANNELIt stated, “We commend the Nigerian Law School authorities for demonstrating institutional courage, administrative discipline and fidelity to established rules and regulations. No institution can function effectively where rules are selectively obeyed, arbitrarily interpreted or subjected to religious pressure and mob intimidation.”
The group also accused those demanding religious accommodation for one faith while denying similar consideration to traditional worshippers of promoting discrimination.
“It is intellectually dishonest and fundamentally unjust to demand religious accommodation for one faith while denying the same consideration to adherents of African Traditional Religion. Religious freedom cannot be a privilege reserved for Christianity and Islam while traditional worshippers are treated as second-class citizens in their own country,” the statement added.
Citing Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution, the association said freedom of thought, conscience and religion applied equally to all religious beliefs, including indigenous African religious traditions.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to manifest and propagate one’s religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. This constitutional protection does not discriminate between foreign religions and indigenous African religious traditions,” it said.
The association urged the Nigerian Law School to ensure fairness and consistency in applying its regulations, arguing that any religious accommodation granted to students should be extended to all recognised religious beliefs.
It said the institution should either extend religious accommodation equitably or enforce its dress code uniformly without yielding to threats or intimidation.
“We therefore urge the Nigerian Law School to maintain fairness, consistency and impartiality in the application of its regulations. If there is room for religious accommodation, such accommodation must be extended equitably to all recognised religious beliefs, including African Traditional Religion. Alternatively, the institution must apply its dress code uniformly without yielding to threats, intimidation or religious blackmail,” the statement read.
“We also call on the Muslim group concerned to exercise restraint and embrace dialogue rather than threatening demonstrations over an institutional matter that should be resolved through established administrative and legal channels,” it said.
Reaffirming its position, the association declared: “Our position is simple: Equal rights, equal recognition and equal protection for all religions.”
It added that adherents of African Traditional Religion are Nigerians entitled to the same constitutional protections as followers of other faiths.
“We shall not accept any arrangement that transforms religious plurality into religious supremacy or constitutional equality into selective privilege,” the statement said.
The association noted that no religious group should enjoy superior citizenship or constitutional protection in Nigeria, declaring: “Nigeria belongs to all of us, and no religion has a superior claim to citizenship, dignity or constitutional protection.”
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