The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has strongly criticized the United States Embassy for what it calls an attempt to manipulate Nigeria’s school curriculum through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
In a statement released today, MPAC expressed concerns over the IVLP’s initiative, “Educating about the Difficult Past to Advance Peace and Conflict Resolution,” which seeks to integrate Holocaust education into Nigerian schools.
The organization described the move as a covert attempt to promote a Zionist agenda and distort historical narratives.
While acknowledging the significance of the Holocaust, MPAC argued that its discussion has often been used to justify Israeli policies, including the occupation of Palestinian territories and military actions against Palestinians.
The group listed several ways in which Holocaust education has been leveraged to support Israel’s geopolitical interests, including legitimizing its existence at the expense of Palestinians, silencing criticism, and justifying military actions under the guise of self-defense.
“It is ironic that the U.S. Embassy seeks to impose Holocaust education on Nigerian schools while ignoring the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people—suffering that has been exacerbated by U.S. foreign policy,” the statement read.
MPAC pointed out that the United States has provided billions of dollars in military aid to Israel and repeatedly blocked United Nations Security Council resolutions addressing the crisis in Gaza.
The organization also questioned the relevance of Holocaust education in Nigeria’s curriculum, suggesting that topics such as trans-Atlantic slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and the civil rights movement would be more meaningful for Nigerian students.
MPAC, in a press statement signed by the Executive Chairman, Muslim Public Affairs Centre, Disu Kamor, called on the Nigerian government to resist foreign influence on its education system and ensure that the curriculum remains a true reflection of Nigeria’s values and history.
“We will not allow our curriculum to be hijacked by foreign interests seeking to promote a biased agenda,” the statement concluded.
The group urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject any attempts to manipulate the nation’s education system, emphasizing the importance of preserving national sovereignty and historical integrity.