NSCIA urges fairness in proposed legislative bills, recommends key amendments

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has weighed in on the ongoing legislative process concerning proposed bills of national significance.

The apex Islamic body, responsible for overseeing the affairs of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria, revealed that it only became aware of the public hearing on Monday, February 24, 2025, through media reports. The absence of prior notification, it stated, posed a challenge in making timely submissions.

Despite this, the NSCIA stressed the importance of the Bills to Nigerians, particularly the Muslim Ummah, and put forward key recommendations for consideration.

It urged lawmakers to address all major technical, political, and socio-cultural concerns raised by different segments of the country, ensuring an equitable resolution that satisfies all groups.

The NSCIA recommends that “all the major technical and political-socio issues raised by different sections and segments of the country should be diligently considered equitably addressed to the satisfaction of almost, if not, all segments of the country.

“The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides for the establishment of Shariah Court of Appeal for Muslim personal laws which include marriage and inheritance. Therefore, all sections of the Bills that may directly or indirectly impugn on the law on Shariah would be unconstitutional and should therefore be removed.

“The term “ecclesiastical” used in a section of the Bills should be changed to “religious” in other not to give the impression that it excluded some religious group.”

In conclusion, the Council endorsed the passage of the bills, reaffirming its commitment to constructive engagement in national policymaking and legislative reforms.