9-Year-Old Muslim Boy Wins Bible Society Contest in Lagos

In a remarkable show of unity and talent, 9-year-old Muritala Desmond, a Muslim pupil from Salem Baptist International School, clinched first place at the 4th edition of the Primary School Bible Competition organised by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN). The event, held at the Salvation Army in Onipanu, Lagos, gathered pupils from across the state to showcase their Biblical knowledge and moral understanding.

Desmond, a Basic 4 student, earned a perfect score of 100%, outshining his peers, including Phoebe Fashola and Success Olawoyin of Grand Royale School, who both scored 90%, and Anabel Onyekwere Ogechi Ogbogu from Angels on Mission School, who followed with 85%. Out of 17 participating schools, six made it to the final stage of the competition.

Despite initial opposition from his grandmother due to religious differences, Desmond’s interest in the Bible was driven by the moral values it teaches. “We devoted one hour daily over the past week to read and study the Bible under the guidance of our teachers,” he shared. “This constant practice helped us prepare for this feat today.”

His teacher, Mrs. Barwa Adeyemi, described Desmond as a disciplined and spiritually inclined child, noting that he had faced early life challenges, including the loss of his mother. “He comes from a humble background but is committed and shows genuine interest in the things of God,” she said.

Grace Benjamin, Production and Programmes Manager at BSN, said the competition was designed to instill godly values in children at a young age. “When we catch them young, they grow up with strong moral foundations,” she explained. “This way, they won’t get involved in the vices we see around today. That’s how we build a better society.”

Benjamin added that participants were drawn through social media outreach and invitations, with the competition questions sourced from *My 100 Best-Loved Bible Stories*. She also emphasised the importance of such events in helping children grow beyond academics, encouraging moral and social development.

Winners received a range of prizes including school bags, Bibles, educational games like Scrabble, medals, and plaques for their schools. However, the BSN called for more support from individuals, churches, and organisations. “We would love to do more — even offer scholarships — but we’re limited by finances,” Benjamin said. “Just as secular competitions offer big prizes, we believe our children who excel in Bible knowledge deserve even more.”