The Nigerian Army has firmly denied accusations circulating in a viral video that claim the recent establishment of the Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs is a calculated attempt to Islamize the country and dismantle its secular foundation.
In a strong rebuttal, the Army described the content of the video as a deliberate distortion intended to sow discord, and reiterated its allegiance to religious neutrality and national unity.
The controversial video referenced past crises in countries like Turkey and Libya, asserting that similar religious policies triggered unrest that those nations are still struggling to overcome.
It urged the Nigerian military to concentrate on its core responsibilities of combating insecurity, insurgency, and protecting the nation’s sovereignty instead of allegedly promoting religious bias.
Reacting to the allegations, the Army Headquarters issued a formal statement dismissing the claims as baseless. The statement read: “The Nigerian Army has been notified of a misleading viral report suggesting that the NA only runs a School of Islamic Affairs, ignoring other faith. The viral report also made futile effort to portray the NA as exclusively encouraging religious bigotry among its personnel.”
The Army expressed concern over what it termed as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and misrepresent its institutional ethos. According to the statement, the accusation fails to align with the fundamental values of the Army and mischaracterizes the religious inclusivity embedded in its structure.
Emphasizing its non-partisan and neutral religious stance, the Army reaffirmed that it is a secular entity committed to upholding the religious freedom of all its personnel. The institution stressed that all members, regardless of rank or religious affiliation, are allowed to freely practice their faith without facing discrimination or undue influence.
To offer clarity, the Army noted that it maintains multiple religious training institutions to serve its religiously diverse personnel.
In addition to the Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs situated at the Army Cantonment in Ikeja, Lagos, the military also runs the Nigerian Army Protestant Training School in Yaba and the Nigerian Army Chaplain Catholic Training School at Ojo Cantonment. These schools, it noted, regularly engage in interfaith activities that promote mutual respect, understanding, and camaraderie across religious lines.
The Army emphasized that its dedication to secularism is rooted in the desire to create a professional and inclusive atmosphere where every soldier, irrespective of faith, can fulfill their duties without fear of religious bias or marginalization.
It added that this approach ensures each member of the force can carry out their responsibilities while observing their personal beliefs in an environment of mutual respect and institutional support.
Reassuring the public, the Army stated its unwavering stance on maintaining a secular and religiously tolerant institution. It underscored that the aim is to allow all personnel to serve their nation with dignity, protected by the guarantee of religious freedom and the assurance that their spiritual choices will be respected.
What you should know
The Nigerian Army has countered claims suggesting it favors one religion, asserting it operates training schools for various faiths and remains committed to secularism, inclusivity, and respect for all religious beliefs within its ranks.
