Alleged Religious Discrimination at Ogun State Education Min: Rights Monitors, HURMA Calls for Urgent Govt Intervention

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The office of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun as well as the Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly and also the Commissioner for Education among others have been petitioned for urgent attention to the allegations of religious discrimination and denial of employment to one Iyalode Bukolat by the Ogun State Ministry of Education as allegedly raised in a petition to HURMA office by some Muslim groups in Ogun State.

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In the letter signed by the Executive Director of HURMA, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, the general report gathered from the from the SOS by members of the victim’s family with other concerned Nigerians from both within and outside Ogun State, it was gathered that the victim, Mrs. Olowosebioba Iyalode Bukolat participated in the Ogun State teachers’ recruitment exercise and scored over 70% in the qualifying examination.
Though She was shortlisted and enlisted among the successful candidates qualified for employment, she was allegedly denied issuance of her employment letter despite her success in the recruitment process
It was further gathered that the denial was allegedly connected to her refusal to permanently remove her niqab (Islamic veil), which she wears as part of her sincerely held Islamic religious beliefs and identity.

The petition from the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda HURMA titled: “PETITION FOR JUSTICE AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION OVER ALLEGED RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION, GENDER DISCRIMINATION, VIOLATION OF RIGHT TO RELIGIOUS IDENTITY, AND ISLAMOPHOBIC TREATMENT AGAINST MRS. OLOWOSEBIOBA IYALODE BUKOLA (phone number: 07089770178) DURING OGUN STATE TEACHERS’ RECRUITMENT EXERCISE” reads in part:

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“Our organization has received several complaints and petitions from Islamic groups, civil society advocates, friends, and family members of Mrs. Olowosebioba Iyalode Bukolat concerning an alleged act of religious discrimination and denial of employment during the recent teachers’ recruitment exercise conducted under the supervision of the Ogun State Ministry of Education.

According to the reports and supporting information made available to our office, the following facts emerged:

1. Mrs. Olowosebioba Iyalode Bukolat participated in the Ogun State teachers’ recruitment exercise and reportedly scored over 70% in the qualifying examination.
2. She was subsequently shortlisted and enlisted among the successful candidates qualified for employment.
3. Despite her success in the recruitment process, she was allegedly denied issuance of her employment letter.
4. It was further gathered that the denial was allegedly connected to her refusal to permanently remove her niqab (Islamic veil), which she wears as part of her sincerely held Islamic religious beliefs and identity.
5. We reliably understand that she willingly cooperated with female officials for identification purposes whenever necessary, thereby satisfying legitimate verification requirements without compromising public standards or security procedures.
6. We also understand that a formal complaint was submitted through appropriate channels within the Ministry; however, the response received failed to address the substance of the grievance or provide satisfactory administrative remedy

Your Honourable Office will agree that the allegations above raise serious constitutional, ethical, and administrative concerns bordering on:

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Religious discrimination;

Gender-based discrimination;

Violation of the constitutional right to freedom of religion and religious identity;

Denial of equal opportunity in public employment;

Unfair administrative treatment; and

Islamophobic profiling capable of undermining public confidence in government institutions.

It is important to state that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to manifest and practice one’s religious beliefs without discrimination, intimidation, or exclusion from lawful public opportunities.

The alleged treatment meted out to Mrs. Olowosebioba Iyalode Bukolat has already generated widespread concern among Muslim communities and civil society organizations within and outside Ogun State. Many stakeholders fear that failure to urgently address this matter may create a dangerous precedent capable of discouraging qualified Muslim women from participating in public service opportunities because of their religious appearance or mode of dressing.

We respectfully submit that public institutions must remain inclusive, impartial, and protective of the constitutional rights of all citizens irrespective of gender, faith, or religious appearance.

In view of the foregoing, HURMA Global Resource Initiative respectfully requests the following:

1. Immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged denial of employment to Mrs. Olowosebioba Iyalode Bukolat;
2. Immediate issuance of her employment letter and restoration of all rights and privileges due to her as a successful candidate, where the allegations are found to be true;
3. Appropriate disciplinary measures against any officer or official found culpable of religious discrimination, abuse of office, misconduct, or violation of constitutional rights;
4. Issuance of clear administrative guidelines protecting applicants from discrimination on the basis of religion, gender, or lawful religious appearance in future recruitment exercises; and
5. Assurance from your office that Ogun State’s education sector remains open, inclusive, and respectful of lawful religious diversity.

We believe your distinguished office will treat this matter with the urgency, fairness, and sensitivity it deserves in the interest of justice, peaceful coexistence, and public confidence in government institutions”.

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