By Editor
A prominent Muslim youth organization, the United Muslim Youth Association of Nigeria (UMYAN), has strongly voiced its opposition to Governor Monday Okpebholo's widely reported pronouncement to return schools to missionaries.
In a letter dated June 16, 2025, addressed to the Governor, the group highlighted concerns about fairness, access, and multi-religious governance, urging a rethink of the proposed policy.
UMYAN, acknowledged the historical contributions of missionaries to early education but emphasized the crucial reasons behind the government's takeover of these schools in the 1970s.
The organization underscored the significant strides made in public education since then, arguing that reversing the policy would undermine these achievements.
The letter recalled the pre-independence and immediate post-independence eras when Christian missions predominantly owned and ran schools. While they laid the groundwork for Western education, UMYAN pointed to issues such as limited funding, inconsistent standards, and a clear religious bias, leading to widespread complaints of favouritism in admissions and staff appointments, and discrimination against non-Christians.
The government of the old Western State, under General Yakubu Gowon's regime, took over all mission and private schools in the early 1970s.
This move, driven by a vision of egalitarian access and quality control, aligned with national unity, secularism, and equal opportunity for all citizens, regardless of faith.
UMYAN detailed several improvements in the education sector since the takeover which includes: Uniform Standards- A standardized curriculum and examination system ensuring consistency across schools; Infrastructure Development- Upgrades to many schools through government funding, international aid, and community support; Access for All- Government ownership guaranteeing admission based on merit, not religion or background, fostering peaceful coexistence; Teachers’ Welfare- Standardized salaries, pensions, and professional training for teachers; Community Ownership- Schools becoming integral to their host communities, fostering a sense of ownership.
The organization warned that returning schools to missions risks reinstating religious bias and marginalizing children and teachers of different faiths. They cited examples of existing missionary-run private schools, such as St. Phillips Schools and the Nursing School in Santa Maria in Uzairue, which they claim predominantly promote Catholic doctrine and sometimes coerce students to align with Catholic practices.
UMYAN also raised concerns about the fairness of handing over schools maintained and expanded for over 50 years with taxpayer funds without clear benefits to the wider populace.
They warned that such a reversal could set a negative precedent, inviting similar demands and threatening stability.
Instead of returning schools to missions, UMYAN proposed strengthening public education through better funding, community partnership, accountability, and moral instruction that respects all faiths.
The group asserted that the historical reasons for the takeover remain valid, ensuring education in Edo State is equitable, inclusive, and free from sectarian control.
The letter was signed by Sirajudeen Kabir, Ameer, UMYAN, and Daud Dagana, Secretary General.
