The attention of the leadership of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Oyo State Area Unit, has been drawn to a disturbing statement credited to the Provost of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan (FCAH&PTIB), popularly known as Moor Plantation. The Provost, Dr. Adekoya Olatunde Owosibo, reportedly threatened to dismiss any female Muslim student wearing the veil (Niqob) from the institution. In his exact words, He said, “Note that PURDAH (NIQOB) Students is not allowed. Any students caught violating the above regulations will be disallowed into all college official engagements and he/she stands the risk of being dismissed from the college”
This outrageous and disgraceful statement was allegedly made on Friday, February 7, 2025, during the school’s matriculation ceremony. It appears to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate innocent Muslim students who choose to wear the veil in obedience to the dictates of their faith.
We wish to remind the Pastor-turned-Provost that the school podium is not his church altar, that Moor Plantation is a public institution with students of diverse religious backgrounds, and that the college is neither his personal property nor an extension of his religious establishment.
It is also important to recall that the issue of Niqob was addressed by his administration in 2022 when Dr. Adekoya attempted to use operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to victimize and harass female Muslim students wearing the veil. In a professional and lawful manner, the DSS convened a meeting with MSSN leadership, the school’s Muslim community, and the provost. During the meeting, it was established that the use of Niqob is protected under the Nigerian Constitution, which supersedes any school regulations.
One would have expected the provost and his team to learn from this episode, especially as the affected students were allowed to complete their studies without further victimization. However, in what can only be described as an act of religious bigotry, the provost and his allies resorted to denying admission to students wearing Niqob. It became a silent policy that any candidate who wore the Niqob for the school’s entry examination would automatically fail, simply because the Pastor-Provost is opposed to it. Thus, when it was stated that Muslims are paying the price for peace in the Southwest, it was not an exaggeration.
To the Provost’s surprise, despite his discriminatory policies, female Muslim students still managed to secure admission and continued to use the Niqob. This infuriated him to the point that he began questioning them about why they did not wear the veil during the entry examination but started using it after gaining admission. Unsatisfied with their responses, he seized the opportunity of the matriculation ceremony to issue further threats. He has even instructed lecturers in various departments to prevent students wearing Niqob from signing the matriculation oath, warning them that they would lose their studentship.
We, therefore, use this medium to issue a stern warning to the provost: we have been closely monitoring his actions over the years, and as he has a few months left in office, it would be in his best interest to complete his tenure in peace rather than instigate a crisis. He must also caution his staff against victimizing our sisters. They are our pride and our jewels, and any further attack on them will not be taken lightly.
While we will take all necessary steps to ensure our grievances are addressed through appropriate channels, we encourage our sisters to stand firm in the face of oppression.
