The President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Attention: His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu
Urgent Rejection of the Religious Component in the New Curriculum
Your Excellency,
We, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), strongly oppose the recently introduced curriculum that merges Christian Religious Studies (CRS) and Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) into one subject titled “Religion and National Values.”
This decision has already caused widespread concern among Christians, faith leaders, and education stakeholders. Therefore, we respectfully call on you to intervene without delay.
Concerns Over the New Curriculum
The merger undermines the uniqueness of both Christianity and Islam. It dilutes their core teachings, values, and principles, which are essential for moral and spiritual growth. Furthermore, the decision disregards the resolution reached in 2017 when then-Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, instructed the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to keep Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) and Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) separate in the curriculum.
Our Key Demands
To safeguard the integrity of religious education, we urge the government to:
Reinstate Christian Religious Studies as a separate subject across all levels of education.
Review the new curriculum to reflect Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity.
Consult key stakeholders, including faith communities, before finalising any curriculum changes.
Impact on Students
If implemented, the merger will confuse students and weaken their understanding of faith. Instead of fostering tolerance, it risks creating tension by forcing different religions into a single framework. Ultimately, this undermines the moral foundation that education is meant to strengthen.
Call to Action
We appeal to Your Excellency to:
Suspend the implementation of the new curriculum until broad consultations are concluded.
Direct the Federal Ministry of Education to conduct a comprehensive review that prioritises inclusivity, respect, and fairness.
Nigeria thrives on unity in diversity. By keeping CRS and IRS distinct, we preserve respect for each faith and protect the spiritual development of our children. We believe that your timely action will prevent deeper divisions and ensure a fair and balanced education system.
Thank you, Your Excellency, for giving urgent attention to this matter.
E-Signed
Bishop Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
Secretary, Elders’ Council
Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) & Educational Consultant, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
