'Adeleke University without doubt is a dangerous place to be for the Muslims. The Muslim students and staff of the university are but in a living hell. Our concern here has been for the Muslim students, we believe the Muslim staff members are old enough to choose what is better for them. They should be told if the fleeting thing of this world is what has enticed them to such a gory place, they should know that the life to come is better.'

Full Report

Ordinarily an innocent look at Adeleke University Ede will give it away as one of the privately owned universities in Nigeria without any religious affiliation, Adeleke University Ede is far from that. Adeleke University is better called Adventist Church University of Nigeria, if it has been so called, there would not have been the need for this report and those similar to it. it would not have been the first Christian university in Nigeria, and no case would need not be made for Muslims who found themselves there. But deceiving the populace especially the Muslims, and given where the university is located, with a secular name in order to achieve morbid and calculated religious goals under the creed and order of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, is what we will not sleep over.

Adeleke University without doubt is a dangerous place to be for the Muslims. The Muslim students and staff of the university are but in a living hell. Our concern here has been for the Muslim students, we believe the Muslim staff members are old enough to choose what is better for them. They should be told if the fleeting thing of this world is what has enticed them to such a gory place, they should know that the life to come is better.

The university, in its Student Handbook, says it operates ‘according to the principles of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church’s Philosophy of Education.’ A caveat it might say but why cajoling the unsuspecting Muslim students through Dr. Adedeji Adeleke’s Springtime Development Foundation (SDF) scholarship programmes (allegedly said to be sourced from government funds) to take away their faith?

It claims in its philosophy that ‘it shall admit students without discrimination against gender, culture, race, religion, and socio-economic background. That university shall be tailored towards the principle of equity, justice, fairness…’ yet the only two religious organizations allowed are National Adventist Students (NAAS) and Literature Evangelism Association both of which are clearly of Adventist Church Agenda.

Among what it puts in place to berate its so-called ‘equity, justice and fairness’ are its array of Adventist practices which it foists on every member of the university including the Muslim staff. An example is the Sabbath observance. The university has a chaplaincy unit made up of the clergy from the Seventh Day Church which fanatically enforces the Adventist Creed on the students. The Handbook [p.49] says: ‘The chaplaincy unit works to nurture the university community’s experience. The worship centres are our points of periodic convergence designed to become centres of vibrant and supportive communities of faith where people find holistic nourishment, fulfillment and the eagerness to share the love of God with others. Our mission is to build member’s faith and provide support through the teaching of God’s word; bible based counseling and authentic role modelling.

If further gives the schedules of worship as follows:

-          Wednesday (mid-week prayer meeting) – 6:00pm – 7:00pm

-          Saturdays (Sabbath Worship service) – 9:00am – 11:30am.

-          Saturday Evenings (Vesper Service) – 6:00pm – 7:00pm

-          Special Programmes – As duly announced by the chapel.

Time for checking attendance: 15 minutes before the hour and 15 minutes after the hour.

It states further:

‘Note: Students are not expected to remains in their halls of residence, rooms, or any other unauthorized place during worships.’

The instruction further says there should be ‘careful preparation’ for the Sabbath especially on Friday before sundown.

Among the rules guiding the halls of residence is that every student should be in the hall of residence by 9.45 pm every day (a rule many students would readily flout). The official light-out is 12 midnight to be followed by morning devotion in the individual rooms from 5.30am – 5.45am. No student is expected to leave the hall of residence before 5.45am.

The university actually places an exclusion clause on page 71 of the Student Handbook. It says: ‘In harmony with the democratic ideals practiced, no student is forced to enrol at Adeleke University. Students who come and are accepted are those who choose to abide by university regulations and conform to the standards of conduct and ethical norms of this institution.’

Then the university places down some punitive measures for non-conforming students which will be mostly Muslim students. It has a penal point-system for defaulting students. Each student is given a merit of 60 points. Every violation is assigned demerit points in proportion to its degree. First degree offences are each assigned between 1-10 demerits, second degree, 11-30 demerits, and third degree, 30-60 demerits.

Then it mentions the offences and punishments from pages 72 to 81 of the Handbook. For example it is 60 point demerits to stage a protest which is equivalent to a year suspension. So also is any form of open protest.

In its Disciplinary Actions (s.20) it says: ‘Disregard to worship period – like truancy, loitering or any other form of distraction within or outside worship centre during worship time is one semester suspension.’

Can you imagine what a Muslim will be facing in a place like Adeleke University?

We ask Allaah for safety.

Click HERE for a student's experience.
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