MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Religious Imbalance in NDA 78RC Admission

MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Religious Imbalance in NDA 78RC Admission

 

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Abuja Chapter, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently review the recently released admission list for the 78th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), alleging religious imbalance in the selection of successful candidates.

 

MURIC, in a statement dated September 10, 2026, signed by its Abuja Chapter Chairman, Ustaz Yunus Salahudeen, and the chapter’s Publicity Secretary, Lukman Babalola Laleye, said its preliminary analysis of the admission list revealed what it described as “disturbing patterns” in the distribution of Muslim and Christian candidates across several states.

 

The group also expressed concern over the religious composition of key officers involved in the NDA admission process.

 

According to MURIC, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chairman of the NDA Selection Board, the Commandant of the NDA, the NDA Registrar and the NDA Provost are all Christians.

 

The organisation argued that the concentration of the key positions in the hands of people of one faith raised questions about balance, fairness and objectivity in the admission process.

 

It also linked its concerns to the Federal Character principle provided for under Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

 

MURIC said its analysis showed significant disparities in the religious composition of successful candidates from a number of states.

 

For instance, the group claimed that six of the 10 candidates listed for Adamawa were Christians, while all three reserve candidates were also Christians.

 

It alleged that Benue had only one Muslim among 10 candidates, with all three reserve candidates being Christians.

 

In Ebonyi, MURIC said only one Muslim was listed and that the candidate was placed on the reserve list, while Edo allegedly had no Muslim among the admitted and reserve candidates.

 

The organisation also claimed that Ekiti had only three Muslims among the 10 candidates, including reserves, while the Federal Capital Territory had two Muslims among six candidates.

 

In Gombe, MURIC alleged that five of the 10 candidates were Christians and all three reserve candidates were Christians.

 

The group further cited Imo, where it claimed there was only one Muslim among 13 candidates, including the reserve list, and Ondo, where it alleged that no Muslim was among the 13 candidates, including reserves.

 

Other states cited by MURIC included Kaduna, where it claimed six out of 10 candidates were Christians; Kebbi, with one Christian among 10; Kogi, with four Muslims among 10; Kwara, with four Muslims among 10; Lagos, with five Muslims among 10; Nasarawa, with four Muslims; Niger, with four Muslims; Ogun, with two Muslims; Oyo, with three Muslims; Plateau, with three Muslims compared with 10 Christians; and Taraba, with two Muslims among 10.

 

The organisation also alleged that Borno had three Christians among 10 candidates, with one Christian on the reserve list, while Yobe had two Christians among the 10 candidates.

 

MURIC stressed that its observations were based on a preliminary analysis of the published list and said the disparities warranted clarification from the NDA.

 

The group consequently urged President Tinubu to intervene immediately and direct a review of the 78 Regular Course admission list to ensure what it described as fairness and balance.

 

It also called for the reconstitution of key admission and appointment positions within the NDA to better reflect Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity.

 

In addition, MURIC demanded that the NDA publish the criteria used in selecting the successful candidates, including the cut-off marks and quota allocated to each state.

 

“As the saying goes, ‘a problem identified is a problem half solved,’” the organisation stated, expressing confidence that the Presidency would act promptly to address the issue.

 

MURIC said such action was necessary to promote unity, equity and national cohesion.

 

The group concluded by praying for leaders who would uphold justice and fairness.

 

MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Religious Imbalance in NDA 78RC Admission