NSCIA

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has appointed Professor Salisu Shehu, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), as its Deputy Secretary-General (International) as part of the restructuring and expansion of its National Executive Council (NEC).

The Daily Reality reports that the appointment was contained in a statement signed by Abbas Jimoh, Public Affairs Officer of the NSCIA, following the General Assembly of the Council held in Abuja on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Prof. Shehu has now been assigned the additional responsibility of Deputy Secretary-General (International) of the NSCIA, placing him among the senior officers to serve under the expanded national leadership structure of the Islamic body.

His new role is expected to involve matters relating to the Council’s international engagements and affairs, as the NSCIA expands its executive structure to accommodate additional responsibilities.

The General Assembly, attended by Muslim leaders comprising traditional leaders of the Islamic faith and Chief Imams of Central Mosques from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, approved the expansion of the National Executive Council.

Under the restructuring, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji was appointed Deputy Secretary-General (National), while Mr Abeny Mohammed (SAN) was named Deputy Secretary-General (Corporate) and Dr Bala Muhammad Deputy Secretary-General (Administration).

The Council also appointed Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu as Public Relations Officer, with Hajia Sekinat Lawal serving as Deputy Public Relations Officer.

Dr Mairo Mandara was appointed Development Officer, while Arc Abdullahi Musa PenAbdul was named Deputy Development Officer (Technical). Prof. Fatimah Abdulkarim was also appointed Family Affairs Officer.

The decisions were reached during the General Assembly under the leadership of the President-General of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni.

The expanded executive structure is expected to strengthen the Council’s administration and broaden the areas of responsibility within its national leadership.

The Daily Reality recalls that the NSCIA serves as the umbrella body for Islamic affairs in Nigeria and provides a platform for Muslim leaders and institutions to coordinate issues affecting the Muslim community.

The latest appointments therefore bring additional expertise and responsibilities into the Council’s leadership, with Prof. Shehu’s appointment giving him a specific role in advancing the NSCIA’s international engagements alongside his existing responsibilities at NERDC.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has cautioned political actors not to drag Nigeria into anarchy. 

On Tuesday, the apex Islamic organisation gave the warning in a press statement jointly signed by the organisation’s Secretary General, Prof Salisu Shehu and the Director of Administration, Arch Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu. 

The NSCIA warned political actors to refrain from making unguarded and provocative utterances.

Part of the statement reads, “While reckless statements from inconsequential individuals can be easily ignored, this is not so of those from respected political leaders.”

“It is important that patriotic and well-meaning Nigerian leaders should support unrelenting adherence to process and procedure in the ongoing electoral process. This is because any inclination to unprocedural decision or action at this critical time is a direct call for anarchy which will not yield any positive outcome to the Nation.”

By Muhammad Sabiu

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) on Sunday “unequivocally condemns” the attack and killing of over 22 Muslim travellers by a suspected Christian militia in Plateau State.

On Saturday, the Daily Reality newspaper reported the killing of the travellers who were returning from Bauchi to Ondo after attending a religious event.

In a statement, the NSCIA said, “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of its President-General Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, unequivocally condemns the massacre of a group of innocent Muslims who were returning from Bauchi to Akure. Ondo State, on Saturday.”

The Muslim body appeals for calm and warns against reprisals, saying, “…the Council appeals to all Muslims to be calm and nobody should take laws into his or her hands. The Council re-emphasises that no human life deserves to be wasted on any ground, be it religious or ethnic.”

The Presidency also condemned the killing in a statement signed by the presidential spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu.

Again, social media users took to their accounts to protest the killing by sharing photo and video content of the victims’ bodies and their funerals.