The Federal Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) is set to be scrapped, describing the allegations as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Education categorically denied claims that it had initiated or supported any move to abolish the examination body, which oversees Arabic and Islamic education assessments across Nigeria.
According to the Ministry, the reports suggesting that the Federal Government and the National Assembly were considering the dissolution of NBAIS have no basis in fact. The Ministry stated that it had not sponsored any bill before the National Assembly seeking the abolition of the Board, nor had it proposed, endorsed, or supported any policy aimed at undermining the institution’s statutory responsibilities.
“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to a message circulating on social media and other platforms alleging that the Federal Government and the National Assembly are considering a move to scrap the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS),” the statement said.
The Ministry further described the claims as “false, misleading, and entirely unfounded,” warning that the spread of unverified information was generating unnecessary anxiety among students, parents, teachers, religious organisations and other stakeholders within the education sector.
Reaffirming the status of the Board, the Ministry stressed that NBAIS remains a legally recognised examination and certification body operating within Nigeria’s educational framework. It noted that the Federal Government continues to support all duly established educational institutions and examination bodies in line with national education policies, existing laws and the principles of inclusiveness, equity and equal opportunity.
“The Ministry therefore urges members of the public to disregard the publication in its entirety and refrain from sharing unverified information capable of misleading citizens or undermining public confidence in government institutions,” the statement added.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns triggered by online reports alleging that NBAIS could face dissolution as part of proposed reforms in the education sector. The Ministry, however, maintained that no such proposal exists and urged stakeholders to rely solely on official government communications for information regarding education policies and reforms.
The Federal Ministry of Education also encouraged the public to obtain accurate information from authorised government channels, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and the continued development of Nigeria’s diverse educational system.
