The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) B-Zone has expressed deep concern regarding the inclusion of lewd and sexually explicit content in some primary and secondary school textbooks currently being used in Nigerian schools.
In a letter addressed to the Honourable Minister of Education, the MSSN highlighted that the inclusion of such materials poses a threat to morality and represents an attack on cultural and religious values.
The MSSN expressed dismay over the presence of explicit content in mathematics, English, and social science textbooks used across numerous Nigerian secondary schools.
The textbooks in question have been manipulated to contain explicit and sexualized material, with examples such as a primary school mathematics question that involves the addition and subtraction of condoms.
Moreover, some of the textbooks promote topics such as abortion, LGBT issues, masturbation, and safe sex practices using condoms.
Specific textbook references were provided by the MSSN, including the Basic Science Junior Secondary School (2018 edition) published by Razat Publishers, which contains lessons on teenage pregnancy, types of abortions, and misinformation about abstinence. Other textbooks mentioned were Active Basic Science (2014 edition) by Tola Anjorin, Okechukwu Okolo, Philias Yara, Bamidele Mutiu, Fatima Koki, and Lydia Gbagu, Cry for Justice by Ademola Adefila, and Stigma by Samson O. Shobayo. These books were criticized for containing descriptions of sexual experiences and encouraging relationships with HIV patients.
Additionally, the MSSN highlighted the Basic Science & Technology for Junior Secondary School series authored by W.K Hamzat and S. Bakare, which allegedly promotes abortion, LGBT topics, masturbation, and safe sex practices with condoms. The New Concept English for Senior Secondary Schools (SSS2) Revised Edition (2018 edition) by J. Eyisi, A. Adekunle, T. Adepolu, F. Ademola Adeoye, Q. Adams, and J. Eto was also mentioned for containing vulgar and obscene expressions.
The MSSN considers the inclusion of such content in textbooks as a direct violation of Nigerian cultural and religious values, particularly for the Muslim community.
As a significant stakeholder in the education system, the MSSN urged the Ministry of Education to promptly investigate the matter and ensure that all textbooks used in Nigerian schools are free from harmful and morally inappropriate content.
The powerful Islamic group demanded the immediate removal of textbooks containing lewd and sexually explicit materials from circulation in schools nationwide.
The MSSN emphasized the need for the Nigerian education system to uphold the cultural and religious values of its people, particularly those of the Muslim community.
They argued that the presence of explicit materials in textbooks poses a threat to the moral upbringing of children and represents an assault on cultural and religious values hence they called on the Ministry of Education to take swift and decisive action to address this issue.
The Ministry of Education is yet to respond to the concerns raised by the MSSN. However, the letter from the MSSN serves as a strong call to action to safeguard the moral integrity of Nigeria’s education system and protect the cultural and religious values cherished by its citizens.