Prof. Alaro Clarifies Remarks on Islamic Studies Textbooks, Withdraws Statistic Claim
Professor of Islamic Law and Islamic Finance Expert, University of Ilorin, As - Shaykh Abdur‑Razaq Alaro
Prof. Alaro Clarifies Remarks on Islamic Studies Textbooks, Withdraws Statistic Claim
Ilorin, Nigeria — Professor AbdulRazzaq A. Alaro has issued a public clarification following reactions to his recent remarks on Islamic Studies textbooks used in Nigerian schools and universities, stating that his comments were misunderstood in some quarters and reaffirming his respect for lecturers and scholars in the field.
In a statement released on January 8, 2026, Prof. Alaro explained that the comments, which lasted less than five minutes during a lecture, sparked both positive and negative feedback, a development he described as expected. He noted that the reactions have further encouraged him and his team to proceed with an ongoing project to review Islamic Studies textbooks in Nigeria, with the aim of ensuring that only authentic and accurate information about Islam is taught in educational institutions.
“Our strongest motivation is that it is our collective duty to ensure that only authentic information about Islam is disseminated in our schools and universities,” he said, adding that the findings of the review would be made public in due course, in shaa Allah.
The professor offered an unreserved apology to anyone who felt offended by the remark, particularly his teachers, elders, and colleagues across Nigerian universities. He stressed that he neither intended nor would ever intend to malign or belittle the efforts and achievements of Islamic Studies lecturers and students.
Prof. Alaro also dismissed insinuations that his comment was meant to discredit scholars in the discipline, pointing out that he explicitly referenced his own field of specialization, Islamic Law, in the same remark. He further observed that some reactions suggested that critics did not fully listen to the original clip before responding.
Importantly, the academic acknowledged that his assertion that “more than 90 per cent” of the textbooks were problematic was premature. He formally withdrew the claim following discussions with senior professors and colleagues who reached out to seek clarification.
“I agree with them that the ‘more than 90 per cent’ assertion I made is—at this stage—premature, and is hereby withdrawn,” he stated.
Prof. Alaro concluded by noting that the statement would be his only response on the matter for now.
The clarification has been welcomed by several academics, who see it as a call for constructive engagement on improving Islamic education and textbook quality in Nigerian schools and universities.
Prof. Alaro Clarifies Remarks on Islamic Studies Textbooks, Withdraws Statistic Claim