• Seeks security reforms, action on food, transport costs

FromFred Ezeh, Abuja

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged Muslims across the country to obtain their National Identification Numbers (NINs) and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the 2027 general elections.

The council said Muslims should not remain passive in choosing leaders at any level, stressing that civic participation formed part of their responsibility to the nation.

The call formed part of resolutions adopted at 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 Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, presided over the gathering, which brought together emirs, obas, chief imams, Islamic scholars, leaders of major Islamic organisations and delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Beyond electoral participation, the council urged Muslims to demonstrate exemplary conduct in their workplaces and contribute to nation-building by making their faith a source of character and responsibility rather than merely an identity.

It encouraged Muslim societies and organisations to pursue economic independence through lawful investments, cooperation and effective administration of Zakat and Waqf as instruments for sustainable poverty reduction.

On security, NSCIA said insecurity affected Nigerians across religious divides and rejected claims that Christians or any other religious community were facing genocide in the country.

The council called for urgent and comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security architecture, expressing support for decentralised policing anchored on professionalism, constitutional safeguards, impartiality, accountability, sustainable funding and respect for fundamental rights.

It also urged the Federal Government to expedite measures to reduce transportation and food costs and ease the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.

On religious rights, NSCIA called on government agencies to respect the right of Muslim female students, members of the National Youth Service Corps, security personnel and workers in other establishments to wear hijab.

It criticised the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Lagos over what it described as their hostile dispositions towards Supreme Court judgments favouring the use of hijab in their international schools.

The council urged the institutions to comply with the judgments and promote inclusiveness.

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

It honoured NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for his contributions to educational development and nation-building during his tenure as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from August 2016 to July 2026.