Reps Call for Ban on Children’s Book “Queen Primer” Over Content Concerns

The Nigerian House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging all levels of government to ban the widely popular children’s book, “Queen Primer,” citing concerns over its content.

The motion, which led to this decision, was introduced by Sulaiman Gumi during a session held on Thursday. Gumi highlighted certain words in the book, such as “gay” and “eros,” which, according to lawmakers, are seen as potentially introducing concepts related to “gay and lesbians” to children.

Gumi’s argument centered around the increased presence of foreign educational materials in Nigerian nursery and primary schools. He argued that these materials might promote values and morals that are considered foreign to Nigeria’s cherished norms and values.

Supporting the motion, Bello el-Rufai shared a personal anecdote. He revealed that he had to withdraw his own children from a prominent school in Abuja due to the inclusion of the controversial words in “Queen Primer.” El-Rufai also pointed out that, despite having lived in the United States for an extended period, he was able to maintain his values and religious background.

Consequently, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to not only ban “Queen Primer” but also similar books that may encourage what they perceive as a pervasive culture. Additionally, the use of such books has been labeled as criminal by the House.

This decision has raised debates around freedom of expression and the role of the government in regulating educational materials, with various stakeholders expressing their opinions on this matter.