MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)
هيئة حقوق المسلمين
Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence
3rd
June, 2026
PRESS RELEASE:
STOP UNDERMINING PROMOTION OF MUSLIM STAFF: MURIC TELLS NCC,
OTHERS
A plea has
gone out to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as well as other
agencies, ministries and employers to desist from undermining the promotion of
their Muslim staffers in the interest of religious harmony, industrial peace,
fairness and equity.
Making
the call on Wednesday, 3rd June, 2026 was a faith-based civil
society organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
In a
statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC
claimed, among others, that NCC allegedly targeted Muslim staff of the
commission for exclusion from this year's promotion examination by scheduling
it to take place while some of them were performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
MURIC
explains further:
"The
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) allegedly targeted Muslim staff of the
commission for exclusion from this year's promotion examination by scheduling
it to take place while some of them were performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
"This
is very common in Nigeria due to the fact that the colonial masters gave
Nigeria a structure that is totally alien to Islam but completely Christian in
structure and outlook in all aspects of life. Christians in public service
therefore seize the opportunity to edge Muslims out of the decision-making
system as well as from other rights and priviledges.
"Thus
important meetings where vital decisions are to be taken are fixed during the
Friday Jumu'ah prayers when Muslims will be absent. Some schools also fix tests
and examinations during this period.
"Certain
illegitimate and illogical actions are also taken against Muslims at times when
they are least expected to be able to react. For instance, an eviction order
was pasted on Falomo Central mosque, Ikoyi, Lagos, late on Tuesday 26th May,
2026 which was the eve of the last 'Id al-kabiir. It was supposed to go
unchallenged at the time as Muslims were all expected to be extremely busy with
the logistics of the festival.
"All
these are features of restriction of religious freedom in Nigeria and they
should catch the attention of the United States, the self-acclaimed policeman
of the universe. Unfortunately the latter is fixated on the rights of Nigerian
Christians. It cannot be bothered with the open persecution of Muslims.
"Now
back to the issue of Muslim staffers of NCC who missed their promotion
examination because they went on Hajj. We contend that they went to perform a
religious duty for which their employer has no right to punish or exclude them
from enjoying any benefit, including sitting for a promotion examination.
"According
to the Glorious Qur'an, performance of Hajj is a major pillar of Islam which is
mandatory on all capable Muslims and failure to perform it when a Muslim has
the means is a sin (Glorious Qur'an 3:97; 2:196)
"Consequently,
it amounts to encroachment on Allah-given fundamental human rights of Muslims
who go on Hajj to be punished in any way, either directly or indirectly.
Section 38(i) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria even
criminalised such action by employers.
"Simply
put, any Muslim who faces punitive measure or measures can go to court for the
enforcement of his fundamental human rights. Government may also be prompted to
set up a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the exclusion
of a Muslim staff from a promotion examination.
"But
MURIC will not push for either of the above unless NCC management fails to
initiate a transparent process of redress. The latter may also want to educate
its senior staff, particularly those who handle promotion examinations on
civility and respect for the dignity of every staff as the officials allegedly
threw decent language into the River Niger during the last examination.
"We
therefore appeal to the management of NCC to allow those who have genuine
reasons for being absent during the last promotion examination, particularly
those who went on Hajj, to do a re-sit promotion examination.
"The
scheduling of all future promotion examinations should also be meticulously
planned as to be free of being targeted at any group of staffers for
punishment. The absence of a workers' union in NCC and the fact that only three
out of nine members of the NCC board are Muslims should not outlaw objectivity.
"As
we drop the anchor, we charge the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as
well as other agencies, ministries and employers to desist from undermining the
promotion, interest and welfare of their Muslim staffers in the interest of
religious harmony, industrial peace, fairness and equity."
#NCC
#PromotionExamination
#FairnessAndEquity
#NoToExclusivity
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
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