The Student Christian Movement (SCM) of Nigeria has lamented the appalling deprivation of the religious rights of Christian students in the North and across the country.
This outcry was communicated through a communique signed by the National Secretary, Mr. Isuosuo Okeoghene and the Chairperson, Communique Committee, Dr. Orekyeh Emeka at the end of its 85th anniversary and 33rd National Biennial Conference.
The conference, themed, “Rebuild, Renew and Restore,” drawn from Isaiah 58: 6 to 12, was held from April 17 to 21, 2025 in Bariga, Lagos.
Revealing concerns raised by the Movement on the issue of insecurity, particularly the killing of Christians in Benue and Plateau states, the communique stated: “SCM observes with dismay, the palpable insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the unrelenting killings of Nigerians, especially Christians in Benue and Plateau states. The response of the government, security agencies, organisations and individuals have not been encouraging, to say the least.
“On the issue of one month Ramadan fasting/holiday for both public and private schools in some northern states, affecting both Muslim and non-Muslim students, SCM observes with dismay the recent arbitrary closure of public and private schools in some Northern states like Bauchi, Jigawa and Kano in the name of Ramadan fasting in a country which is constitutionally a secular state.
“We respect the rights of our Muslim brothers and sisters to observe their Islamic practices as guaranteed by the Constitution.
“However, we believe it is totally inappropriate, insensitive and a total breach of the constitutional, educational and child rights laws of Christian students, and is also in violation of the Constitutional principle of secularity of the Nigerian state under Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“In this regard, SCM supports the resolution and position expressed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the issue,” SCM stated.
More so, the Movement further condemned the forceful abduction, conversion and marriage of Christian girls in some Northern States, citing the abduction, forceful conversion and intended forceful marriage in Niger State of Mary Ishaya to one Bello Shuaibu Nasco as an example.
SCM decried that despite reporting this situation to relevant government agencies, nothing was done in that regard.
Meanwhile, speaking to the denial of Christian students of their rights to peaceful assembly and to hold fellowship in schools, the movement disclosed that in some secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Christian students are denied the opportunity to peacefully assemble and to practise their faith.
“We believe that this is not in tandem with the laws of our nation, which guarantees the fundamental rights of citizens, including students, to practise their faith anywhere in Nigeria.
“We, therefore, urge the federal and state governments and the management of educational institutions, to kindly allow Christian students to hold their fellowship meetings in line with guidelines as may be given by the management of schools in compliance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In addition, SCM called on President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies to take more decisive actions and be more proactive in securing the lives and properties of all Nigerians.
It commended the Federal Government for articulating and implementing several policies that are supportive of business and youth empowerment, which has seen many youths getting engaged in productive activities by keying into them.
The Movement also commended the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and all the Church leaders in Nigeria who have been relentless in lending their voices to issues of national importance, and in the defence of the Body of Christ.