Northern Clerics Accuse Government of Religious Bias in Civil Service Appointments
A coalition of religious leaders from the North has raised serious concerns about what they describe as religious bias in the recent appointments of Permanent Secretaries in Nigeria. According to the Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA), a Christian candidate who scored 83 percent in the selection interview was overlooked in favor of a Muslim counterpart who scored only 54 percent. This incident, according to ACIPA, is part of a broader pattern of discrimination against Northern Christians in public service.
The allegations were made in an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, and the leadership of the National Assembly. The letter, dated November 6, 2025, was signed by Rev. (Dr) Luke Shehu, Chairman of ACIPA.
ACIPA expressed deep concern over what it calls another case of religious persecution against Northern Christians in the civil service. The group emphasized that the decision undermined the principles of merit and fairness in federal appointments.
“Our attention has been drawn to yet another instance of persecution against a Northern Christian regarding the right to the position of Federal Permanent Secretary following the recent interview,” said Shehu. “This case highlights a long-standing pattern of marginalization that has persisted for years, especially against Christians in the northern part of the country.”
The association pointed out that despite repeated denials, evidence of discrimination in recruitment, scholarships, and promotions remains evident. “Despite government’s denial of persecution and systematic genocide against Christians, especially in Northern Nigeria, it is clear that Northern Christians and Hausa Christians in particular have been and are still denied rights of employment, scholarships, and appointments,” ACIPA stated.
Citing the outcome of the recent interview for Permanent Secretaries, the group noted that the top-scoring candidate, a Christian from the North East, was unfairly dropped. Instead, Mohammed Musa Isiyaku, who scored 54 percent and ranked fifth, was announced as Permanent Secretary by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) on November 4, 2025.
“In the usual perpetuation of denial of rights and persecution of Northern Christians and indigenous people, one Mohammed Musa Isiyaku, who scored 54 percent emerging the fifth position, was announced as Permanent Secretary by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation,” the group said.
ACIPA is aware of plans to proceed with the swearing-in of the lower-ranked candidate and has urged the government to halt the process immediately. “We are aware of the ongoing process to swear in the said Mohammed as the Permanent Secretary instead of the qualified Christian,” warned the association.
Rev. Shehu clarified that the group’s stance is not driven by confrontation but by its commitment to fairness, justice, and the protection of all Nigerians regardless of faith. “True to our calling as advocates of peace, unity, social justice and development, we are not only renouncing and rejecting the travesty and persecution but we are calling on all concerned to correct this abnormality and travesty with immediate effect,” he said.
The group called on faith leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society advocates to speak up against what it describes as a long-standing pattern of injustice. It added that silence in the face of persecution could further divide the country.
“ACIPA is calling on all advocates against persecution and travesty to rise to the occasion and call authorities to order against the persecution of Christians in the North. A travesty that has almost become a norm. This is no longer acceptable,” the group added.
Copies of the letter were sent to religious leaders, monarchs, ministers, lawmakers, media houses, security chiefs, and indigenous organizations, as ACIPA urged collective action to end what it called ‘institutionalised discrimination’ against Northern Christians in public service appointments.