Shariah Practice Declared Divine, Sovereign, Non-Negotiable In Nigeria

[Abdulrahmon Mubarak Olayinka]

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has reaffirmed that the practice of Shariah in Nigeria is divinely mandated and remains a central pillar of Muslim life. The council stressed that no external authority has the power to force Nigerian Muslims to abandon their religious legal system.

In a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, the council responded to a recent report by United States lawmakers. The report reportedly examined allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria and proposed sweeping measures affecting the country's legal and religious landscape.

Among the American lawmakers mentioned were Riley Moore and Chris Smith. Their findings were submitted to Donald Trump and included recommendations such as repealing Shariah and blasphemy laws, forming a US–Nigeria security pact, and imposing penalties or visa bans on individuals accused of violating religious freedom.

However, the SCSN strongly rejected the report's characterization of Nigeria as a site of "Christian genocide." It described the narrative as misleading and argued that it unfairly challenges what it called the inalienable constitutional right of Nigerian Muslims to practice Shariah.

The council emphasized that Shariah represents a comprehensive way of life, covering spiritual, moral, social, and legal dimensions. According to the statement, it serves as the divinely ordained framework through which Muslims regulate both personal and communal affairs.

It further explained that the practice of Shariah in Nigeria is protected under the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and permits individuals to manage personal matters according to their faith. The council noted that Shariah courts operate legally within constitutional boundaries and warned that any attempt to criminalize or externally dictate Shariah practice would threaten Nigeria's sovereignty and religious liberty.

Rejecting foreign interference, the SCSN cautioned that biased or simplistic narratives could inflame tensions, deepen mistrust, and undermine peaceful coexistence. The council condemned all killings across the country, regardless of religious identity, and called on authorities to address insecurity driven by terrorism, banditry, organized crime, and governance failures. As Muslims observe Ramadan, it urged the Ummah to intensify prayers, remain law-abiding, and continue living peacefully with fellow Nigerians, affirming that Nigeria's sovereignty must be respected and protected.

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