The Institute for Science and Human Values stands with the Nigerian Humanist Movement (NHM) in their legitimate attempt to register their organization in their nation. For several years, the NHM has gone through bureaucratic red tape in fruitless efforts to gain legal status for their group. They have been told by bureaucrats that they must remove the term “movement” from their name because it sounds somewhat revolutionary or subversive. In response, they have suggested many other words such as “association.” Still, they have been denied permission to register. According to the NHM’s lawyers, the only word that always appears in their suggested names is “humanist.” For this reason, some members of the NHM wonder if there is discrimination against humanists, or if the government bureaucrats even know what a humanist is.

Difficulty in registering humanist groups has not only been a problem in Nigeria. Humanists in other African nations, such as Kenya, have encountered similar difficulties. This is most unfortunate because humanism has so much to offer the African continent. Humanist activists promote good science, church/state separation, the rights of women and sexual minorities, opposition to harmful superstitious ideas and practices, human rights, etc.

The Institute for Science and Human Values is calling upon Nigerian authorities to permit the NHM to register as a legitimate entity. Their work is important for the furtherance of democracy in Nigeria, Africa, and the world. Human-centered thought and activism can only benefit Nigerians in particular and humanity in general.