Don’t manipulate Islam to promote hatred – Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs urges Muslims
This was part of resolutions contained in a communique of the General Assembly of NSCIA held on Thursday, 19th Rabi’u Thani 1448 AH equivalent to 1st October 2026 at the National Mosque, Abuja.
Here is the full communique:
Communique issued at the end of the General Assembly of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) held on Thursday, 19th Rabi’u Thani 1448 AH (1st October 2026) at the National Mosque, Abuja
Preamble
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) held its General Assembly on Thursday, 19th Rabi’u Thani, 1448 AH (1st October, 2026) at the National Mosque, Abuja. The Assembly was presided over by the President-General of the Council, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, under the theme, “Nigerian Muslims and the Imperative of Nation-building”. The meeting was attended by prominent Emirs, Obas, Chief Imams, Chiefs, Principal Officers of the Council, renowned Islamic scholars, leaders of major national Islamic organisations and delegates from all the states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The opening session featured recitation from the Glorious Qur’an, opening remarks by the President-General, and the nomination of the representative of the Council on the Board of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund.
Highlights of the General Assembly included the approval of the renewal and expansion of the National Executive Committee of the Council with: i) Deputy Secretary-General (National Affairs), Prof. Mahfouz A. Adedimeji; ii) Deputy Secretary-General (International Affairs), Prof. Salisu Shehu; iii) Deputy Secretary-General (Corporate Affairs), Abeni Obomeileh Mohammed, SAN; iv) Deputy Secretary-General (Administration), Dr Bala Muhammad; v) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu; vi) Deputy Public Relations Officer (DPRO), Hajia Sekinah T. Lawal; vii) Development Officer, Dr Mairo Mandara; viii) Deputy Development Officer (Technical), Arc. Abdullah Musa Abdul (PenAbdul); and ix) Family Affairs Officer, Prof. Fatimah Abdulkareem.
Resolutions
After extensive deliberations on issues affecting the Muslim Ummah and the Nation, the Assembly:
A. On Faith, Unity and Conduct of the Ummah
i) affirmed that Islam prohibits compulsion in religion and that Muslims do not force people to become Muslims;
ii) reaffirmed the need for unity and enjoined Muslim scholars to desist from attacking one another in the public domain and to resolve their differences through internal mechanisms without causing embarrassment to the Ummah;
iii) cautioned Muslims against manipulating Islam to promote hatred, violence and attacks against those who do not share our views, and reiterated the need to always find a common ground by de-emphasising sectarian differences in line with Allah’s injunction, “Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not be divided” (Qur’an 3:103);
iv) enjoined Muslims to imbibe the culture of verification and evidence (Tabayyun) and to desist from sharing unverified messages, claims and accusations that impugn the character of leaders and others;
B. On National Security and Cohesion
v) reiterated that insecurity in Nigeria affects all Nigerians regardless of faith and that there is no genocide of Christians or any religious community in Nigeria as claimed in some quarters;
vi) called for an urgent and comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security architecture, while supporting decentralised policing, provided that such reform is anchored on professionalism, constitutional safeguards, impartiality, accountability, sustainable funding, respect for fundamental rights and effective coordination between federal and state security institutions;
vii) charged the Federal Government to expedite action on drastically reducing the cost of transportation and food to alleviate the hardship being faced by ordinary Nigerians while acknowledging the efforts of government on revamping the economy;
viii) asserted the obvious that Islam has been in Igboland for several decades and across generations and condemned any attempt by anyone or group to pretend that Muslims are not indigenous to Igboland in order to suppress and normalise attacks against them;
C. On Rights, Inclusion and Education
ix) noted with satisfaction the Supreme Court judgement upholding the judgement of the appellate court on the case of the mosque, which the authorities of the Rivers State University prevented Muslim students from building on campus, and called on the Rivers State Government and management of the University to implement the judgement without any further delay;
x) called upon all government agencies to respect the right of Muslim female students, Muslim National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, Muslim female personnel in security agencies and Muslim female staff in other work places to use hijab as their fundamental human right;
xi) resolved that Muslims with physical challenges are especially disadvantaged and they should be carried along and supported in the activities of the Council;
xii) urged Muslim leaders to prioritise quality education that integrates sound Islamic knowledge with STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – to secure the future of the Ummah;
xiii) exhorted parents and community leaders to pay greater attention to the moral guidance of the youth who are increasingly becoming exposed to adverse foreign influences;
xiv) faulted the authorities of the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Lagos on their hostile dispositions to Supreme Court judgement, which favours the use of hijab in their International Schools and for their futile attempts to redesignate such schools as private (despite being established by public institutions) just to manipulate court judgements against the right of willing female students to use hijab in public schools, and urged those authorities to retrace their steps by being law-abiding and inclusive;
xv) recognised a Muslim sister, Maryam Ibrahim Dan-Azumi, who made history by winning the first prize (female category) at the prestigious King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition held recently in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and recommended her for national recognition;
D. On Civic Responsibility and Institutional Development
xvi) exhorted Muslims to be role models by putting in their best in their places of work and contributing more effectively to nation-building by making faith a source of character, not just a tag of identity;
xvii) tasked Muslims to obtain their National Identity Numbers (NINs) and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate fully in the process of selecting Nigerian leaders at all levels;
xviii) encouraged Muslim societies and organisations to build economic independence through lawful investments, cooperation and effective administration of Zakat and Waqf for sustainable poverty reduction;
E. On Hajj and Related Matter
xix) adopted the 2026 Report of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and endorsed its recommendations to reposition the Hajj industry in Nigeria for excellence;
xx) commended NAHCON and the Abuja National Mosque Management Board (ANMMB) for their broad initiatives in advancing their mandates; and
xxi) honoured the Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, for being a good ambassador of Islam and for his immense contributions to educational development and nation-building during his tenure as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) between August 2016 and July 2026.
APPRECIATION
The Council expressed its profound appreciation to two eminent Muslims who supported and indicated interest to support its drive for financial sustainability. It also appreciated other Muslims whose generous contributions ensured the success of the 2026 General Assembly.
The Council also thanked invited guests, delegates and all participants for their cooperation towards the success of the National Prayer and General Assembly.
His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni
Sultan of Sokoto and President-General,
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)
Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, CON, FNAL
Secretary-General,
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
