As a Lawyer, I fully support the constitutional right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Every Nigerian should be free to practice their faith without discrimination. However, I have an observation on this topic even though I am a Muslim. If a parent voluntarily enrolls their child in a private, faith-based school that has a clearly established religious identity and dress code, should that school be compelled to abandon those rules because of the religious beliefs of an individual student? For example, if a Muslim parent chooses a Christian school and the school has a uniform policy that does not include the hijab, should the school be legally required to change its policy? Likewise, if a Christian student enrolls in a Muslim school where wearing the hijab is part of the school's religious ethos, should the student be exempt from that requirement? In my opinion, the answer depends on the nature of the school. Public schools, being government institutions, should respect and protect constitutional rights equally. Private faith-based schools, on the other hand, should generally be allowed to preserve the religious character upon which they were founded, provided their rules are clear, lawful, and known before admission. Parents have choices. If a school religious philosophy or dress code does not align with your convictions, it is better to choose a school that reflects your beliefs rather than enrolling there and seeking to change its identity afterwards. Muslims parents should register their children in a Muslim school or register your child in a public school. Enough of always playing victim cards that they want your child to wear Hijab in a Christian Private school. That’s what you will get if you decided to register them in a Christian private school despite the number of Private Muslim schools in the Country. Thank you. Usman A. Lanase Esq.
