The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has rejected claims that Christians or any other religious group are facing genocide in Nigeria, saying insecurity affects Nigerians regardless of their faith.
The council also called for an urgent and comprehensive reform of the country’s security architecture, including decentralised policing, provided it is backed by professionalism, constitutional safeguards, accountability and respect for fundamental rights.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued after the NSCIA General Assembly held at the Abuja National Mosque on October 1, 2026, under the theme, “Nigerian Muslims and the Imperative of Nation-building.”
The assembly, presided over by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, was attended by Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, Chief Imams, leaders of major Islamic organisations and delegates from across the country.
On national security, the council said the country’s insecurity should not be viewed through a religious lens, stressing that it affects all Nigerians.
It therefore called on the Federal Government to urgently reform the security system and consider decentralised policing, while insisting that such reforms must be properly coordinated between federal and state security institutions.
The NSCIA also urged the government to take faster steps to reduce the cost of food and transportation, citing the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.
The council acknowledged the government’s efforts to revive the economy but said more needed to be done to ease the pressure on citizens.
The assembly also addressed tensions around religion and identity, particularly in relation to Muslims in the South-East.
It said Islam had existed in Igboland for several decades and across generations, and condemned attempts to portray Muslims as non-indigenous to the region.
The council said such attempts could contribute to the suppression and normalisation of attacks against Muslims.
On education and religious rights, the NSCIA welcomed the Supreme Court judgment concerning the construction of a mosque for Muslim students at Rivers State University and called on the Rivers State Government and the university management to implement the judgment without further delay.
It also called on government agencies to respect the right of Muslim female students, female National Youth Service Corps members, female security personnel and Muslim women in other workplaces to wear hijab.
The council criticised the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Lagos over what it described as their “hostile dispositions” towards a Supreme Court judgment on the use of hijab in their international schools.
It accused the institutions of attempting to redesignate the schools as private institutions despite their establishment by public universities and urged them to comply with the law.
The assembly further urged Muslims to verify information before sharing it, warning against unverified claims and accusations that could damage the reputation of individuals and leaders.
It also called on Muslim scholars to avoid publicly attacking one another and instead resolve disagreements through internal mechanisms.
On civic participation, the NSCIA urged Muslims to obtain their National Identification Numbers and Permanent Voter Cards and participate fully in choosing leaders at all levels.
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It also encouraged Muslim organisations to pursue lawful investments and strengthen the administration of Zakat and Waqf as tools for reducing poverty.
The assembly approved the renewal and expansion of the council’s National Executive Committee, including the appointment of Prof. Mahfouz A. Adedimeji as Deputy Secretary-General (National Affairs), Prof. Salisu Shehu as Deputy Secretary-General (International Affairs) and Abeni Obomeileh Mohammed, SAN, as Deputy Secretary-General (Corporate Affairs).
It also honoured the Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, for his contribution to education and nation-building during his tenure as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board from August 2016 to July 2026.
The council also adopted the 2026 report of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and endorsed its recommendations for repositioning the Hajj industry in Nigeria.