Christian students at the Federal University of Kashere in Gombe State have spent the last fourteen years worshipping in temporary, frequently disrupted spaces because the campus lacks a dedicated chapel, even though several mosques operate freely on the premises. This absence of a permanent Christian place of worship has become a visible source of tension among the student body.
In recent weeks, the students organized a peaceful demonstration, demanding the construction of a functional chapel and urging the university administration to honor earlier promises to allocate land for the project. University officials responded by confirming that suitable land has already been set aside, but they have not provided a timeline for the chapel’s development.
Critics, including religious leaders, argue that the prolonged delay reflects deeper issues of inequity, inadequate planning, and a lack of inclusivity within a federal university that is expected to serve a diverse student population. They contend that the disparity between the provision of mosques and the absence of a Christian place of worship undermines the principle of religious equality.
The protest highlights the broader challenge of ensuring that all faith communities receive fair treatment in Nigeria’s higher‑education institutions. It calls for swift administrative action to complete the chapel, thereby reinforcing the university’s commitment to religious tolerance and campus harmony.
