Hijrah Islamic Organisation of Nigeria, has warned against what it terms as “needless distractions and insensitive reactions” following the recent recognition of the Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary School Certificate Examination (SAISSCE) by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and others.
In a statement today, signed by the National Chairman of the Organisation, Prof Yusuf Lanre Badmas urged Nigerians to view the policy through an academic lens rather than a religious.
Prof Badmas described attempts by some groups, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and related Christian coalitions, to politicize or sensationalize the matter as potentially harmful to Nigeria’s fragile social fabric.
According to him, the acceptance of SAISSCE as equivalent to WAEC, NECO, and NBTE certificates is based on the federal government’s approval of the certificate since 2011.
He pointed out that SAISSCE curriculum covers core academic subjects such as English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, meeting the required educational standards for nursing admissions.
The Islamic Scholar further cautioned that any effort to frame this policy along religious lines risks inciting unnecessary tension and division in the society.
The Organisation called on all stakeholders, especially religious and community leaders, to promote dialogue and understanding rather than confrontation.
The Christian coalitions, particularly CAN, had recently voiced concerns that the move could undermine the secular standards of Nigeria’s education system and marginalize Christian students. They argued that recognizing a religious-based certificate on par with secular national exams could set a precedent affecting educational quality and religious balance.
The Organisation therefore suggested the need for people to engage constructively with policymakers rather than resort to protests or inflammatory rhetoric.
He opined that that inclusion of diverse educational certificates could enhance access to professional training, especially in a country as pluralistic as Nigeria.
