Sultan of Sokoto Dismisses Islamisation Claims, Calls for Unity in Nigeria

Sultan of Sokoto Dismisses Islamisation Claims, Calls for Unity in Nigeria

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed repeated claims of a supposed plan to Islamise Nigeria, describing such narratives as false, divisive, and impossible within the country’s constitutional and religious structure.

Speaking on Wednesday at the First Triennial Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, the Sultan stressed that Muslims and Christians are destined to coexist in Nigeria and that no religious group has an agenda to dominate or eliminate the other. He said claims of Islamisation of Nigeria are often used to create unnecessary tension and weaken national unity.

The Sultan, who serves as Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), reaffirmed that the platform remains one of the most important tools for peacebuilding in the country, stressing that continuous dialogue is essential to resolving religious and social misunderstandings.

He noted that his long-standing participation in the council reflects his personal commitment to peace and stability, stating that he has not missed a single meeting in over two decades of engagement. According to him, sustained conversation between religious leaders is critical to preventing conflict and strengthening national cohesion in a multi-faith society like Nigeria.

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The Sultan also raised concerns about the rise of self-styled religious leaders who lack proper theological training but continue to influence large followings. He warned that religious ignorance and misinformation contribute to the misuse of faith for political or personal gain, urging clerics across all religions to deepen their knowledge and promote responsible preaching.

He explained that academic or linguistic familiarity alone is not sufficient to qualify anyone as a religious authority, stressing the importance of sound doctrinal understanding in guiding followers correctly.

Addressing insecurity in the country, the Sultan strongly condemned the practice of linking criminal acts to religion, particularly the tendency to describe bandits or terrorists as representatives of any faith. He insisted that criminals should be identified strictly by their actions, not their religion, warning that such profiling fuels division and undermines national unity.

The Sultan further reiterated Islamic teachings that condemn the killing of innocent people, noting that in Islam, the unjust taking of a single life is regarded as the destruction of humanity.

He urged Nigerians to resist divisive narratives and focus on shared national identity, especially at a time when the country continues to face security and economic challenges. He emphasised that peace, tolerance, and mutual respect remain the foundation for national progress, calling on religious leaders to lead by example in promoting harmony.

Observers say the Sultan’s remarks reinforce ongoing efforts by interfaith leaders to reduce religious tension and strengthen cooperation between Nigeria’s major faith communities.

Sultan of Sokoto Dismisses Islamisation Claims, Calls for Unity in Nigeria