In a strong call for legal education reform, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, has advocated for the urgent integration of Law and Religion Studies into the country’s legal curriculum.
She described the measure as critical for promoting national unity, justice, and sustainable development in Nigeria’s deeply pluralistic society.
Delivering the keynote address at the Nigerian Law and Religion Studies Curriculum Development Colloquium in Abuja, Justice Ogunwumiju emphasised that future legal professionals must possess a deep understanding of the nation’s diverse religious landscape.
The colloquium’s theme was ‘The Role of Law and Religion in National Development: Building Bridges, Shaping Futures.’
The Supreme Court Justice proposed a comprehensive six-pillar curriculum framework where core legal subjects, including constitutional law, family law, comparative legal systems, ethics, dispute resolution, and public policy, would all be examined through the lens of religion.
“A Law and Religion Studies curriculum teaching religious literacy would equip future jurists, scholars, and policymakers to navigate religious plurality with mutual respect and enhance unity in the country,” Justice Ogunwumiju asserted.
She stressed the importance of not sidelining religion in legal discourse, noting that law plays crucial preventive and remedial roles in addressing conflicts, especially where religion intersects with social and political issues.
By referencing landmark cases, the Justice illustrated how the judiciary constantly strives to balance religious freedoms with upholding public interest.
“This isn't just about curriculum reform,” she stressed.
“It's about equipping future lawyers to mediate faith-based conflicts and uphold justice in a diverse nation,” the judge added.
Justice Ogunwumiju also commended institutions like the University of Lagos for pioneering courses in this area and acknowledged the crucial support from international partners, including the International Centre for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS), for advancing the discourse.
#LawAndReligion #LegalEducationNG #SupremeCourtNigeria #JusticeOgunwumiju #CurriculumReform #NationalUnity #NigerianLaw
All rights reserved. The content on this website, including text and other digital materials, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of The News Accelerator Network.
For advertising inquiries, news coverage, or press releases, please get in touch with us at
📧 thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com
📞 08051017159, 08173970030
You can also subscribe to our YouTube channels here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVELRC3WinKZ7tdmhmZaRmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Post a Comment