Oyo State: MSSN outraged, slams Moor Plantation provost over threat to dismiss veil-wearing Muslim students
The leadership of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Oyo State Area Unit, has raised concerns over a controversial statement attributed to Dr. Adekoya Olatunde Owosibo, Provost of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan (FCAH&PTIB), also known as Moor Plantation.
The Provost allegedly threatened to dismiss any female Muslim student wearing the veil (Niqab) during the institution’s matriculation ceremony on Friday, February 7, 2025.
In his statement, Dr. Owosibo reportedly declared, “Note that PURDAH (NIQOB) Students is not allowed.Any students caught violating the above regulations will be disallowed into all college official engagements and he/she stands the risk of being dismissed from the college.”
While reacting, the MSSN described the remark as “outrageous and disgraceful,” accusing the provost of deliberately intimidating Muslim students practicing their faith.
The group reminded Dr. Owosibo, a pastor, that Moor Plantation is a public institution accommodating students of diverse religious backgrounds and not an extension of his religious establishment.
They also recalled a similar incident in 2022 when the Provost allegedly used operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to harass female Muslim students wearing the Niqob. The MSSN called for immediate intervention to protect the rights of Muslim students and ensure religious tolerance in the institution.
The statement reads: “The attention of the leadership of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Oyo State Area Unit, has been drawn to a disturbing statement credited to the Provost of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan (FCAH&PTIB), popularly known as Moor Plantation.
“The Provost, Dr. Adekoya Olatunde Owosibo, reportedly threatened to dismiss any female Muslim student wearing the veil (Niqob) from the institution. In his exact words, He said, “Note that PURDAH (NIQOB) Students is not allowed.Any students caught violating the above regulations will be disallowed into all college official engagements and he/she stands the risk of being dismissed from the college”
“This outrageous and disgraceful statement was allegedly made on Friday, February 7, 2025, during the school’s matriculation ceremony. It appears to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate innocent Muslim students who choose to wear the veil in obedience to the dictates of their faith.
“We wish to remind the Pastor-turned-Provost that the school podium is not his church altar, that Moor Plantation is a public institution with students of diverse religious backgrounds, and that the college is neither his personal property nor an extension of his religious establishment. It is also important to recall that the issue of Niqob was addressed by his administration in 2022 when Dr. Adekoya attempted to use operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to victimize and harass female Muslim students wearing the veil.
“In a professional and lawful manner, the DSS convened a meeting with MSSN leadership, the school’s Muslim community, and the provost. During the meeting, it was established that the use of Niqob is protected under the Nigerian Constitution, which supersedes any school regulations.
The MSSN urged the provost to toll the line of peace and end all forms of victimization against female Muslim students.
“We, therefore, use this medium to issue a stern warning to the provost: we have been closely monitoring his actions over the years, and as he has a few months left in office, it would be in his best interest to complete his tenure in peace rather than instigate a crisis. He must also caution his staff against victimizing our sisters. They are our pride and our jewels, and any further attack on them will not be taken lightly. While we will take all necessary steps to ensure our grievances are addressed through appropriate channels, we encourage our sisters to stand firm in the face of oppression.”
