The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria and the have praised the Supreme Court ruling which granted reprieve to Muslim students of the Rivers State University forbidden by the management of the institution from worshipping on campus.
In a ruling delivered on 10 February 2026, the Supreme Court affirmed the right of Muslim students to observe their religious obligations within the Rivers State University campus.
The judgment brings to a close a legal process that began in 2012 following the demolition of the mosque structure on campus and the subsequent denial of a designated place of worship for Muslim students.
MPAC said it noted with profound relief the judgment of the Supreme Court dismissing the appeal by Rivers State University (RSU) and affirming, once and for all, the constitutional right of Muslim students to worship freely on campus.
“This is not merely a court victory. It is a victory for the Constitution,” the organisation said. “A victory for conscience. A victory for justice over prejudice. And a victory for faith over fear.
“For over a decade, Muslim students at Rivers State University were denied a right that should never have been contested – the right to pray. Yet, rather than retreat into despair or be provoked into disorder, these students chose the noblest path available in a democracy: the path of law, patience, and principled resistance. MPAC salutes their resilience, their restraint, and their unwavering determination to pursue justice through constitutional means.
“Their courage proves that faith is not weakness – and that patience, when guided by principle, is a formidable force.
” We commend the judiciary – at every level – for standing firm in defense of the Constitution and for sending a clear, unambiguous message: no authority, no institution, and no sentiment – however dominant – can override the fundamental rights guaranteed to every Nigerian.”
MPAC also called on the authorities of Rivers State University to obey the law, respect the judgments of the courts, and immediately implement the rulings without hesitation, delay, or distortion.” Continued defiance is not just administrative misconduct – it is an assault on constitutional order and an open declaration of contempt for the rule of law,” the organisation said.
“More importantly, the university must abandon every form of persecution, exclusion, and hostility directed at Muslim students – practices often rooted in Islamophobic attitudes and institutional bias. A university must be a sanctuary of knowledge, not a theatre of discrimination; a centre of enlightenment, not an engine of exclusion.
“This judgment resonates far beyond Rivers State. It speaks powerfully to Muslim minority communities across the South-East and South-South sub-regions, many of whom continue to face systemic denial of their religious rights in schools, workplaces, and public institutions. MPAC insists that this ruling must mark the beginning of a new era – one where Muslim minorities are no longer compelled to beg for rights that the Constitution already guarantees.
“Religious freedom is not a concession. It is not a favour. It is not negotiable. It is a right – absolute, constitutional, and inviolable.”
For the MSSN, the judgment brings to a close a legal process that began in 2012 following the demolition of the mosque structure on campus and the subsequent denial of a designated place of worship for Muslim students.
“After years of patient legal engagement through the Federal High Court in 2013, the Court of Appeal in 2017, and now the Supreme Court in 2026, the judiciary has consistently upheld the constitutional guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion as enshrined in Section 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We commend the resilience, discipline, and lawful conduct of the Muslim students who pursued justice through constitutional means. We also acknowledge and appreciate the dedication of the legal team that represented the students throughout this prolonged process, as well as the guidance and moral support of community leaders and elders.
This judgment is not a victory for one religious group over another. It is a victory for constitutionalism, equity, and the rule of law. It strengthens the foundation of pluralism within our academic institutions and affirms that public universities must remain inclusive spaces where the rights of all students are respected without discrimination.
The Rivers State Area Unit of MSSN, calls upon all Muslim students to respond to this development with gratitude, maturity, and continued commitment to peaceful coexistence. We must demonstrate through our conduct that the pursuit of justice was rooted in principle and not in hostility.
We respectfully urge the Rivers State University authorities and relevant state institutions to ensure prompt and faithful compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court by allocating a befitting and designated place of worship for Muslim students within the campus. Implementation of the court’s decision will mark an important step toward reconciliation, mutual respect, and institutional harmony.
We reaffirm our commitment to constructive engagement with the university management and all stakeholders to ensure that this matter is resolved in a manner that promotes unity, stability, and the academic progress of all students.
May this moment serve as a new chapter in strengthening interreligious understanding and peaceful coexistence within Rivers State and beyond.
Signed:
Dr. Zubair Ibrahim
Ameer,
Rivers State Area Unit Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria
