Varsity Don Stresses Religious Tolerance In Nigerian Campuses

A university don, Prof. Isiaka Zubair Aliagan, has stressed the need to advance interfaith understanding and religious tolerance on Nigerian university campuses.

He also called for the creation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs or Ministry of Inter-faith Relations manned by trained persons in interfaith affairs, to regulate matters of religion and the conduct of persons and leaders of religions.

Aliagan, the dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Kwara State University, Malete, made the call in a paper he presented at the interfaith leadership conference for students across tertiary institutions in Kwara State, organised by Mohawal Charity Foundation in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

He said advancing religious tolerance in the university campuses requires leadership from university administrations, engagement from students and faculty members, support from religious leaders and communities, and resources from government and other funders.

“Universities should begin by conducting comprehensive assessments of the current state of interfaith relations on their campuses, identifying both challenges and opportunities.

“Based on these assessments, they should develop strategic plans for interfaith work that include clear goals, timelines and accountability mechanisms.

“Universities should establish research programmes that examine religious diversity and interfaith relations in Nigerian contexts, generating evidence-based insights that can inform policy and practice.

“This research should be shared widely through conferences, seminars and public engagement,” he said.

Aliagan noted that religious plurality, rather than being a source of strength, has frequently been a cause of tension in Nigeria and, of late, has become a subject of international politics that threatens the nation’s sovereignty.

According to him, these tensions from the larger society sometimes extend to university campuses.

Aliagan, however, said that Nigerian universities have the potential to lead the nation toward a more tolerant, peaceful and prosperous future.

He posited that advancing interfaith understanding is not just about preventing religious violence, but creating university communities where all students can flourish regardless of their religious identity.