Sultan-Led NSCIA Rejects Christian Genocide Narrative, Calls for Security and Economic Overhaul

By Saheed Olayunji, Reporter

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has dismissed claims that any religious group faces genocide in Nigeria, noting that insecurity impacts all citizens regardless of faith.

The council also supported comprehensive security reform, including decentralized policing, provided it ensures professionalism, constitutional safeguards, accountability, adequate funding, and respect for human rights.

These were among the resolutions of the NSCIA General Assembly held on October 1 at the Abuja National Mosque under the theme: “Nigerian Muslims and the Imperative of Nation-building.”

The assembly, presided over by the President-General of the Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, was attended by traditional rulers, chief imams, Islamic scholars, and leaders of major Muslim organisations.

In a communiqué signed by Sultan Abubakar and the Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the council said the narrative of a religious genocide was misleading and capable of heightening tension.

It urged Muslims to reject the manipulation of Islam for hatred and violence, verify information before sharing it and resolve disagreements among scholars through internal mechanisms.

The NSCIA said decentralised policing could strengthen the country’s security architecture if properly regulated and coordinated between federal and state institutions.

The council also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to reduce the cost of food and transportation, noting that Nigerians were still facing economic hardship despite ongoing reforms.

It called for the protection of the rights of Muslim women and girls to wear the hijab in schools, workplaces, and among National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and security agencies.

The NSCIA specifically urged the University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to comply with the Supreme Court judgments upholding hijab rights in their international schools.

It also urged the Rivers State government and management of Rivers State University to implement the Supreme Court judgment affirming the right of Muslim students to have a mosque on campus.

The council reaffirmed the long-standing presence of Islam in Igbo land, rejecting claims that Muslims are non-indigenous to the region.

It called for greater investment in education, urging Muslim leaders to promote a combination of Islamic knowledge and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

The assembly hailed Maryam Ibrahim Dan-Azumi for winning the female category of the King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makkah and recommended her for national recognition.

It also honoured Oloyede for his contributions to education and nation-building as former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The council adopted the 2026 report of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and endorsed its recommendations for repositioning the Hajj sector.

It also urged Muslims to obtain their National Identification Numbers (NINs) and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), participate in elections and strengthen the economic independence of Muslim organisations through lawful investments, Zakat and Waqf.