The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision dismissing an appeal filed by Rivers State University (RSU), affirming the constitutional right of Muslim students to worship freely on campus.
In a statement issued on Friday, the organisation described the ruling as a landmark victory for constitutional rights and religious freedom, effectively bringing to an end a dispute that has spanned more than a decade.
The case arose from restrictions imposed on Muslim students at RSU who sought permission to observe prayers within the university premises.
According to MPAC, the affected students opted to seek redress through the courts rather than engage in protests, adopting what the group termed “the path of law, patience, and principled resistance.”
MPAC Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, praised the judiciary for what he characterised as a firm defence of constitutional guarantees. He said the judgment sends a strong message that no institution has the authority to override fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.
The group called on the management of Rivers State University to comply fully and promptly with the Supreme Court’s ruling and to implement the decision without delay. It also urged the institution to end what it described as discriminatory practices and hostility toward Muslim students.
“A university must be a sanctuary of knowledge, not a theatre of discrimination,” the statement read, adding that religious freedom is a constitutional right that should not be subject to negotiation.
MPAC further said the judgment could have wider implications for Muslim minority communities in parts of southern Nigeria, where concerns about access to religious rights in schools and public institutions persist.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to advocating constitutional protections and equal treatment for all Nigerians, irrespective of faith.