𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

26𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗯. 2026.

A Federal Polytechnic has come under intense public criticism following a controversial directive warning that any male and female students found standing together during the holy month of Ramadan would be forced into an arranged Islamic marriage.

In a notification dated February 25, 2026, and signed by the institution’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Alhaji Kamisu Salihu, the management declared that “during the Holy month of Ramadan, standing together in couple (boy & girl) is strictly prohibited.”

The circular further warned that any students caught violating the directive would be subjected to an immediate Nikkah (Islamic marriage). It added that the affected students would also bear full responsibility for organizing their own Walima (wedding feast).

“Please respect the sanctity of the Polytechnic and avoid unnecessary closeness,” the notice stated.

The directive has sparked widespread condemnation across social media platforms, with critics describing it as excessive, unconstitutional, and inappropriate for a federal government-owned institution in a multi-religious country.

Many commentators argue that while institutions may enforce codes of conduct to maintain discipline, compelling adult students into marriage under religious law crosses legal and ethical boundaries.

Religious leader Apostle Michael Olowookere, who shared the notice online, compared the directive to extremist practices, suggesting that such policies undermine Nigeria’s secular and pluralistic identity.

Similarly, several social media users questioned the legality of imposing religious-based sanctions in a federal institution funded by taxpayers of diverse faiths. Critics insist that public tertiary institutions are governed by Nigeria’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and association.

Legal analysts note that marriage under Islamic law requires consent of both parties and cannot be imposed as a punitive measure. Forcing adults into marriage could amount to a violation of fundamental human rights, including freedom of association and personal liberty.

Observers have also called on the Federal Ministry of Education to clarify whether the directive aligns with national education policies and constitutional provisions guiding federal institutions.

The controversy comes amid ongoing national conversations about religious tolerance, governance, and the boundaries between faith and state institutions. Critics argue that while Ramadan is a sacred period for Muslims, enforcing religious codes through threats of forced marriage in a federal academic setting risks deepening religious tensions.

As of press time, the institution’s management had not issued any further clarification or response to the backlash.

The development continues to generate debate over the balance between institutional discipline, religious observance, and constitutional rights within Nigeria’s public educational system.