The Muslim Rights Concern (Muslim Rights Concern) has accused the Federal Government of showing religious bias in the handling of major public projects and relief distributions across the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, raised concerns over the planned construction of a N25 billion ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. He said the project, reportedly being developed in partnership with the Christian Association of Nigeria, raises questions about fairness in government treatment of religious groups.
The airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, is one of Nigeria’s busiest aviation hubs, serving thousands of local and international passengers daily. The proposed chapel project has recently sparked public debate, especially over its funding and purpose in a secular state.
MURIC argued that while religious freedom is guaranteed in Nigeria’s constitution, government involvement in large-scale religious infrastructure should be carefully balanced to avoid perceptions of favoritism.
The group also criticised what it described as uneven distribution of federal relief funds. It cited reports of a N2 billion allocation to victims of violence in Plateau State, questioning why similar levels of support were not extended to other states facing security challenges.
According to the statement, states such as Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kwara have also experienced serious insecurity, including bandit attacks, insurgency, and displacement of communities. MURIC said the lack of equal attention to these areas raises concerns about fairness in government response.
Nigeria has faced widespread insecurity in recent years, particularly in the North and parts of the Middle Belt. Armed groups, bandits, and insurgents have caused displacement, loss of lives, and destruction of livelihoods, prompting repeated calls for stronger government intervention.
The organisation also questioned the reported allocation of N1.2 billion shared among the 19 northern states ahead of the Eid al-Kabir celebrations. It described the amount as inadequate when compared to the funds allocated to Plateau State, arguing that it reflects imbalance in public spending.
“How can only one state be given N2 billion while all the 19 states in the North are asked to share N1.2 billion?” the statement said. “Is it right to treat Muslims like second-class citizens?”
MURIC further called on the Federal Government to provide clarity on its plans for Muslim religious infrastructure, especially in comparison to the proposed ecumenical chapel project.
The group urged authorities to ensure equal treatment for all faiths, suggesting that Muslims should also benefit from similar support for national religious projects.
It specifically asked when land would be allocated for the construction of a national grand mosque, similar to the proposed chapel. The group also questioned financial provisions for such a project, demanding transparency in government allocations.
“So we must ask the Federal Government to tell Nigerians when land of equal size will be given to the Muslims to build their grand national mosque,” the statement added.
MURIC warned that perceived imbalance in religious-related policies could increase tension and deepen divisions in the country. It urged the government to adopt a more inclusive approach in managing religious and humanitarian issues.
Nigeria is a multi-religious country with a nearly equal population of Muslims and Christians. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and successive governments have often tried to maintain a balance in dealing with religious matters.
However, debates over fairness in public spending on religious projects have continued to surface over the years. Issues such as funding for pilgrimages, religious infrastructure, and government support for faith-based programmes often generate public discussion.
In the past, government involvement in religious infrastructure has included support for pilgrim welfare boards, maintenance of places of worship in federal institutions, and partnerships with religious bodies on social programmes.
While supporters of such initiatives argue that they promote unity and cater to citizens’ spiritual needs, critics often raise concerns about the use of public funds in a secular state.
The latest comments by MURIC add to ongoing conversations about how the government balances religious diversity in policy decisions, especially at a time when the country is also facing economic challenges and security concerns.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not issued an official response to the allegations raised by the group.
For many Nigerians, the key issue remains ensuring that public resources are distributed fairly and that all citizens, regardless of religion, feel equally represented in national development efforts.