By:Onifade Samuel
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims across Nigeria to remain united, protect their religious rights and work collectively to promote peace, stability and development in the country.
The Sultan made the call on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the NSCIA General Assembly held at the Abuja National Mosque Complex.
The General Assembly, regarded as the highest decision-making organ of the NSCIA and the largest gathering of the Council, brought together representatives of Islamic organisations, the 36 State Councils for Islamic Affairs and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as Muslim public office holders and prominent Islamic leaders from across Nigeria.
The meeting formed part of a two-day programme organised by the Council, which began with a Special National Prayer for Nigeria on Wednesday, September 30. The prayer was held to seek divine guidance, protection, peace and blessings for the country and its citizens.
During the national prayer, NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, described the gathering as a religious and national responsibility rather than a political event. He said the National Mosque provided an avenue for Muslims across political divides to unite in prayer for Nigeria and its leadership.
Prayers were offered for peace, security, economic prosperity and responsible leadership, with religious leaders also praying for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the National Assembly, the judiciary and other political leaders.
The Sultan, at the General Assembly, emphasised the importance of Muslim unity, particularly in the face of concerns surrounding religious freedom and the treatment of Muslims in the country.
He urged Muslims to remain committed to protecting their rights while pursuing their concerns through peaceful and lawful means.
The appeal comes against the backdrop of previous concerns raised by the NSCIA over what it described as negative profiling, marginalisation and attacks against Muslims.
In June 2026, the Council, under the Sultan's leadership, called on the Federal Government and security agencies to protect Muslims and safeguard the sanctity of Islam. The NSCIA also alleged that Muslims had faced marginalisation in parts of Nigeria's public space and criticised what it described as double standards in the treatment of religious issues. Those claims were made by the Council and should be understood as its position rather than independently established facts.
The Sultan's latest call also places emphasis on unity within the Muslim community. The NSCIA has continued to present itself as a platform for consultation and coordination among different Islamic organisations and Muslim communities across the country.
The composition of the General Assembly reflects that broad mandate. Participants included the Deputy President-General (North), who is also the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; the Deputy President-General (South), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo; Secretary-General Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede; Deputy Secretary-General Prof. Salisu Shehu; representatives of state councils and Islamic organisations, as well as Muslim governors, legislators, ministers, heads of government agencies and other public figures.
Beyond religious matters, the General Assembly was also expected to provide a platform for consultation and reflection on issues affecting the wider Nigerian society.
The Council had earlier urged Muslims to use the two-day programme to pray for continued peace, unity, security, good governance and sustainable development.
The national prayer also brought together Islamic scholars and leaders from the six geopolitical zones, including representatives of chief imams from different parts of the country, the Mufti of Ilorin, the President of the League of Imams and Alfas of South-West Nigeria and the Wakili Musulumi of Yorubaland.
The emphasis on peaceful coexistence is also consistent with previous engagements between Nigeria's major Muslim and Christian bodies. In 2022, the NSCIA and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) signed a declaration aimed at reducing religious tension, encouraging dialogue and promoting peaceful conflict resolution. The agreement also affirmed the importance of protecting fundamental rights and dignity regardless of religious, ethnic or regional differences.
The NSCIA's current position comes at a time when questions surrounding religious freedom, insecurity and communal tensions continue to attract national attention.
In November 2025, the Council also rejected claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria and argued that insecurity affects Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines. The Council maintained that terrorism, banditry and communal violence should not be reduced to a single religious explanation.
Against this background, the Sultan's appeal at the General Assembly places Muslim unity alongside the broader need for peaceful engagement and protection of religious rights.
The Council has continued to call on Muslims to remain peaceful while urging government authorities to protect citizens, uphold constitutional rights and address insecurity and other challenges confronting the country.
The General Assembly therefore provided an avenue for Muslim leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting the Muslim community while also reflecting on their responsibilities towards Nigeria's wider peace, unity and development.
The NSCIA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting unity among Muslims, peaceful coexistence among Nigerians and efforts aimed at strengthening the stability and progress of the country.
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