11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Constitution doesn't foresee religious instruction in secular public schools, but in the northern states Islamic religious education was made compulsory ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23707]

"The constitution does not require students to receive religious instruction in secular public schools. However, state governments occasionally passed laws seeking to incorporate religious studies into the curriculum. NGOs such as the CLO claimed that the 12 northern states had made Islamic religious education compulsory in previously secular public schools. Authorities of several of these states claimed that schools did not require students to attend classes of a religious group other than their own, and that students could request a teacher of their own religious beliefs to provide alternative instruction. However, there were often no teachers of "Christian Religious Knowledge" in many northern schools or of "Islamic Religious Knowledge" in southern schools."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion; nevertheless there were some instances in which the government placed limits on religious activity to address security and public safety concerns ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21265]

"The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, including freedom to change one's religion or belief, and freedom to manifest and propagate one's religion or belief through worship, teaching, practice, and observance. Chapter 1, Section 10 of the Constitution mandates that the Government "shall not adopt any religion as State Religion." While the Government generally respected religious freedom, there were some instances in which it placed limits on religious activity to address security and public safety concerns."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Registration requirement for Christian and Muslim groups planning to build new churches or mosques ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21268]

"The law requires Christian and Muslim groups planning to build new churches or mosques to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The CAC did not deny registration to any religious group during the period covered by this report. Many nascent churches and mosques ignored the registration requirement, and a small number, most notably those in the Federal Capital Territory, had their places of worship shut down or demolished when officials enforced the zoning laws."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

After a ruling of the Abuja High Court in June 2005, large outdoor religious gatherings were less likely to be restricted ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21269]

"In June 2005 the Abuja High Court struck down provisions of the Public Order Act that banned gatherings whose political, ethnic, or religious content might lead to unrest. Although several state governments continued to ban public mass rally proselytizing to avoid ethno-religious violence, large outdoor religious gatherings were less likely to be restricted as a result of this ruling."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The government sporadically enforced a ban against broadcasting religious advertisements on state-owned radio and television stations ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21270]

"Although the Government did not generally restrict distribution of religious publications, it sporadically enforced a ban against broadcasting religious advertisements on state-owned radio and television stations. Private radio stations regularly broadcast religious programming."

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

The Constitution does not require students to receive religious instruction in secular public schools; the 12 northern states have made Islamic religious education compulsory in previously secular public schools ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21296]

"The Government continued to ban religious organizations from primary school campuses, although individual students retained the right to practice their religious beliefs in registered places of worship. The Constitution does not require students to receive religious instruction in secular public schools. Nigerian NGOs such as the CLO claim that the 12 northern states have made Islamic religious education compulsory in previously secular public schools. Several state authorities claimed that schools did not require students to attend classes of a religious group other than their own, and that students could request a teacher of their own religious beliefs to provide alternative instruction. However, there were often no teachers of "Christian Religious Knowledge" in many northern schools or those of "Islamic Religious Knowledge" in some southern schools."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Information on religious education in public schools ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19729]

"The law does not require students to receive instruction in a religion other than their own; however, the Ministry of Education requires public school students throughout the country to undergo either Islamic or Christian religious instruction. State authorities claimed that students were permitted not to attend classes taught in a religion other than their own, and that students may request a teacher of their own religion to provide alternative instruction. However, there were often no teachers of "Christian Religious Knowledge" in many northern schools nor those of "Muslim Religious Knowledge" in some southern schools."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Constitution provides for freedom of religion; nevertheless there were instances in which limits were placed on religious activity ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17745]

"The constitution provides for freedom of religion, including freedom to change one's religion or belief, and freedom to manifest and propagate one's religion or belief through worship, teaching, practice, and observance. While the Federal Government generally respected religious freedom, there were some instances in which limits were placed on religious activity to address security and public safety concerns. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), where groups planning to build new churches or mosques have to register, did not deny any registration ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17753]

"Christian and Islamic groups planning to build new churches or mosques are required by law to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The CAC did not deny registration to any religious group during the period covered by this report. Many nascent churches and Islamic congregations ignored the registration requirement, and a small number, most notably those in Abuja, had their places of worship shut down or demolished when the zoning laws were enforced."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

High Court ruled that provisions of Public Order Act banning political, ethnic, or religious gatherings that might lead to unrest were unconstitutional; several state governments continued to ban public mass-rally ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17756]

"The Government requires permits for outdoor public functions; government authorities and those assembling often ignored this requirement. In June 2005 an Abuja High Court ruled that long-standing legal provisions of the Public Order Act banning gatherings whose political, ethnic, or religious content might lead to unrest were unconstitutional. While it is not specific to religious gatherings, the act has nonetheless allowed authorities wide latitude in dispersing gatherings in which they have a "reasonable ground to fear a breach of the peace." Despite the court ruling, several state governments continued to ban public mass-rally proselytizing to avoid ethno-religious violence. Some proselytizing groups remained active even before the court ruling, but since the ban was ruled unconstitutional in 2005, large outdoor religious gatherings were less likely to be restricted. Some state governments continued to impose bans inconsistent with the court ruling. In 2003 the National Broadcasting Commission ruled that televangelists who broadcast religious miracles would be required to provide evidence to prove the authenticity of the alleged miracles. The Lagos High Court ordered a suspension of the ruling pending its hearing of a lawsuit contesting the policy. The suit was not heard during the reporting period, and some evangelists continued to reference miracles in their broadcasts. Although distribution of religious publications was generally unrestricted, the Government sporadically enforced a ban against broadcasting religious advertisements on state-owned radio and television stations."

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

In northern states Christians alleged that local governments stop or slow establishment of new churches; in the South Muslims complain they were denied permission to build mosques ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17796]

"Christians in the predominantly Muslim northern states continued to allege that local government officials used zoning regulations to stop or slow the establishment of new churches. Muslims continued to complain that they were denied permission to build mosques in predominantly Christian southern states. Officials responded that many of these proposed new churches and mosques were being planned for residential neighborhoods not zoned for religious purposes. State officials also stated that the certification boards were dealing with a large backlog of cases for all applicants regardless of religious faith."

Document(s): Open document

09.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Kano and Plateau state: Government blamed for religious violence that killed 1,000 people in 2004; those responsible were not prosecuted yet ("Freedom in the World 2006") [ID 18157]

"Religious freedom is guaranteed by the constitution, but many Nigerians, including government officials, often discriminate against those of a religion different from their own. Religious violence, often reflecting regional and ethnic differences and accompanying competition for resources, is common. However, religious violence claimed fewer lives in 2005 than in the previous year. In May 2005, HRW said that the government deserved much of the blame for religious violence in Kano and Plateau states that killed nearly 1,000 people in 2004. The report concluded that many of the deaths could have been prevented if authorities had heeded warning signs, and that authorities still had not prosecuted the civilians and police responsible for the deaths."

Document(s): Open document

07.2006 - Source: Freedom House

There is no official state religion; Muslim majority states implemented their own interpretation of Sharia law ("Countries at the Crossroads 2006") [ID 18312]

"Religious freedoms are also a controversial subject in Nigeria. From one perspective, Nigeria allows a level of religious self-determination that is rivaled by few nations of the world, in the sense that each state of the federation is allowed to implement its own religious and traditional legal codes and public policies. Muslim majority states in northern Nigeria have implemented their own interpretations of the Islamic Sharia code and promulgated religious-inspired policies such as banning alcohol, while Christian majority states in the south have passed Christian-inspired policies as well, such as providing public funds for Christian festivals or events. The federal constitution prohibits a state religion, but the federal government provides funds for a range of religious activities such as pilgrimages to Mecca for the Hajj and to Jerusalem for Easter."

Document(s): Open document