By ‎Professor Ishaq Akintola
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‎A plea has gone out to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as well as other agencies, ministries and employers to desist from undermining the promotion of their Muslim staffers in the interest of religious harmony, industrial peace, fairness and equity.
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‎Making the call on Wednesday, 3rd June, 2026 was a faith-based civil society organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
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‎In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC claimed, among others, that NCC allegedly targeted Muslim staff of the commission for exclusion from this year’s promotion examination by scheduling it to take place while some of them were performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
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‎MURIC explains further:
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“The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) allegedly targeted Muslim staff of the commission for exclusion from this year’s promotion examination by scheduling it to take place while some of them were performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
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‎”This is very common in Nigeria due to the fact that the colonial masters gave Nigeria a structure that is totally alien to Islam but completely Christian in structure and outlook in all aspects of life. Christians in public service therefore seize the opportunity to edge Muslims out of the decision-making system as well as from other rights and priviledges.
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‎”Thus important meetings where vital decisions are to be taken are fixed during the Friday Jumu’ah prayers when Muslims will be absent. Some schools also fix tests and examinations during this period.
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‎”Certain illegitimate and illogical actions are also taken against Muslims at times when they are least expected to be able to react. For instance, an eviction order was pasted on Falomo Central mosque, Ikoyi, Lagos, late on Tuesday 26th May, 2026 which was the eve of the last ‘Id al-kabiir. It was supposed to go unchallenged at the time as Muslims were all expected to be extremely busy with the logistics of the festival.
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‎”All these are features of restriction of religious freedom in Nigeria and they should catch the attention of the United States, the self-acclaimed policeman of the universe. Unfortunately the latter is fixated on the rights of Nigerian Christians. It cannot be bothered with the open persecution of Muslims.
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‎”Now back to the issue of Muslim staffers of NCC who missed their promotion examination because they went on Hajj. We contend that they went to perform a religious duty for which their employer has no right to punish or exclude them from enjoying any benefit, including sitting for a promotion examination.
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‎”According to the Glorious Qur’an, performance of Hajj is a major pillar of Islam which is mandatory on all capable Muslims and failure to perform it when a Muslim has the means is a sin (Glorious Qur’an 3:97; 2:196)
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‎”Consequently, it amounts to encroachment on Allah-given fundamental human rights of Muslims who go on Hajj to be punished in any way,  either directly or indirectly. Section 38(i) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria even criminalised such action by employers.
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‎”Simply put, any Muslim who faces punitive measure or measures can go to court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights. Government may also be prompted to set up a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the exclusion of a Muslim staff from a promotion examination.
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‎”But MURIC will not push for either of the above unless NCC management fails to initiate a transparent process of redress. The latter may also want to educate its senior staff, particularly those who handle promotion examinations on civility and respect for the dignity of every staff as the officials allegedly threw decent language into the River Niger during the last examination.
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“We therefore appeal to the management of NCC to allow those who have genuine reasons for being absent during the last promotion examination, particularly those who went on Hajj, to do a re-sit promotion examination.
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“The scheduling of all future promotion examinations should also be meticulously planned as to be free of being targeted at any group of staffers for punishment. The absence of a workers’ union in NCC and the fact that only three out of nine members of the NCC board are Muslims should not outlaw objectivity.
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“As we drop the anchor, we charge the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as well as other agencies, ministries and employers to desist from undermining the promotion, interest and welfare of their Muslim staffers in the interest of religious harmony, industrial peace, fairness and equity.”

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).