A group called the National Prayer Altar has spoken out strongly against the Nigerian government’s decision to treat Arabic and Islamic certificates (NBAIS) as equal to WAEC, NECO, or NBTE. They believe this is wrong for students trying to enter regular colleges and universities.
On May 14, 2025, they sent a letter to education leaders such as the Minister of Education, NUC, and JAMB. They asked that this policy be cancelled immediately. The group warned that the decision could damage Nigeria’s non-religious school system and lead to religious and ethnic conflicts.
They said the policy breaks Nigeria’s commitment to keeping education free from religion. The group believes the government is ignoring the Constitution by allowing religious certificates into the national education system.
In their words, the decision does not just test the limits of the Constitution—it clearly breaks them.
The group explained that this policy brings religious bias into a system that should be fair, based on merit, and neutral about religion.
They also said making NBAIS certificates, like Tahfeez and SAISSCE, equal to WAEC or NECO gives one religion special treatment and leaves out others. They asked why there are no similar government education boards for other groups like Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Tiv, Ijaw, or Christian Biblical Studies.
According to the Constitution, the government must stay neutral in religion (Section 10) and be fair to all groups (Section 14(3)). The group believes this policy goes against both of those laws.
They also questioned how NBAIS certificates got accepted without public laws, executive orders, or agreement between education agencies.
They added that no one has seen any law or public document saying NBAIS should be treated like WAEC or NECO.
They warned that real approval in education must come from proper laws and public decisions, not silence or hidden moves.
The group also said this could lead to more groups asking for their own certificates to be recognized, which might cause too many different exam boards and confusion in the education system.
Calling this a serious mistake that changes Nigeria’s fair and non-religious education system, the group said they are not asking for small changes—they want the entire policy cancelled.
“This is not a call for review or reform. It is a call for total reversal,” they said. They believe Nigeria’s future and its education system depend on stopping this decision.
They asked the government to cancel NBAIS certificate approval, and they want a clear message from the President and National Assembly that only WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and NBTE are valid for school progression. They also said no religion or culture should get national exam status unless the system is fair and open to all.
Over 100 religious and academic leaders from Nigeria and other countries signed the petition, including Professor Kontein Trinya, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, and Professor Olanrewaju Awotona.
