The Israeli educational monitoring organization IMPACT-se published a harsh report on educational content in Nigeria. The research, which examined more than 40 government textbooks, reveals a complex picture alongside messages of peace, tolerance, and human rights. Additionally, antisemitic stereotypes and historical inaccuracies about Israel were found.
In the Islamic textbooks, contradictory content was found – some call Jews "people of the book" and describe shared origins, but others call them "idol-worshipping and hypocrites." In the Christian books, claims were found about the collective guilt of Jews in Jesus' death. The Holocaust is mentioned only superficially, without reference to the Jewish identity of the victims, and the books contain incorrect maps describing "Palestine in the time of Christ" or describing Abraham's migration to "Palestine" instead of Canaan.
The problems are not limited to content about Jews. "Homosexualism and lesbianism" are described as "strange and immoral cultures," and women receive stereotypical treatment. Minority religions are described as "cults," and immigrants as "economic saboteurs."
Marcus Sheff, CEO of IMPACT-se, emphasized the importance of the findings. "Africa is the fastest-growing continent in the world, and Nigeria is its most populous country. The education that Nigerian children receive today will shape not only the future of the country, but the entire continent," he said. He added that when Israel works to expand its relations in Africa, it is important to understand how perceptions of Jews and Israel are formed among the younger generation.
Despite the criticism, the report also notes positive aspects in the Nigerian textbooks. Calls for mutual respect between religions, condemnation of gender violence and forced marriages, recognition of the Jewish-Igbo community in Nigeria, and a positive description of the Israeli parliamentary system as a model government alongside Britain were found.
The organization announced that it would work with policymakers in Nigeria to implement the report's recommendations, while emphasizing the importance of quality education for global understanding and international cooperation.
