The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has affirmed that the practice of Shariah is divinely ordained and central to the lives of Nigerian Muslims, warning that no external authority can compel them to abandon it.
SCSN Secretary-General Nafiu Baba Ahmad issued the statement in response to a report by US lawmakers, including Riley Moore and Chris Smith, which examined alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The lawmakers’ report, submitted to President Donald Trump, recommended repealing Shariah and blasphemy laws, establishing a US–Nigeria security pact, and imposing sanctions or visa restrictions on those accused of violating religious freedom.
The council rejected the report’s portrayal of Nigeria as experiencing “Christian genocide,” arguing that it misrepresents the country and challenges the constitutional right of Muslims to practise Shariah. “Shariah constitutes a comprehensive way of life for Muslims, encompassing spiritual, moral, social, and legal dimensions. It is the divinely ordained framework through which Muslims regulate their personal and communal affairs,” the statement said.
The SCSN highlighted that Shariah courts operate legally within constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of religion and allow individuals to manage personal matters according to their faith. It warned that any attempt to delegitimise, criminalise, or impose external dictates on Shariah practice threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty and religious freedom.
The council dismissed claims of a “Christian genocide,” stressing that Nigeria’s security challenges affect both Muslims and Christians, driven by terrorism, banditry, organised crime, and governance gaps. “The council unequivocally condemns all killings across Nigeria, mourns every innocent life lost, and rejects politicisation of human suffering,” it said, urging authorities to restore security, justice, and public confidence.
As Muslims observe Ramadan, the SCSN called on the Ummah to increase prayers, perform righteous acts, remain law-abiding, and continue peaceful coexistence with all Nigerians. “Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our faith is not negotiable, our Constitution is clear, and our sovereignty must be respected by other nations and protected by our government,” the council added.
