The court dismissed the university’s appeal, affirming the students’ right to worship freely and have a designated space for prayer on campus. This decision is a huge win for the students, who had been fighting for their constitutional right to practice their faith since 2012.
The case began when Muslim students alleged that university authorities restricted their ability to conduct prayers and build structures for Islamic worship.
The Federal High Court ruled in their favor in 2013, stating that prohibiting Muslim students from worshiping while churches existed on campus was unconstitutional. The university appealed, but the Court of Appeal and now the Supreme Court have upheld the original decision.
This ruling is a significant victory for religious freedom and equality in Nigeria. As the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) stated, “Religious freedom is not a concession or a favour. It is a constitutional right”.
Would you like to know more about the implications of this ruling or the reactions from various groups?
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