The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has reaffirmed that Christians should never be subjected to Sharia law or any legal processes meant exclusively for Muslims.
He made this statement on Wednesday at the opening of the 2025 triennial meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja. The event, themed “Collaboration of Inter-Religious Council with Government to Promote Peace in Nigeria,” brought together top religious and political leaders.
The Sultan emphasised that Sharia is strictly for Muslims and must not be imposed on non-Muslims in any way, including through dress codes or religious practices. He noted that Nigeria is a multi-religious country where the government supports both major faiths without adopting any as the official religion.
Responding to ongoing calls for the abolition of Sharia, the Sultan said every Nigerian has the freedom to practice their religion without interference. He urged leaders at all levels to avoid actions that could fuel religious tension.
Also speaking at the event, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, urged stronger collaboration between NIREC and the Federal Government to address insecurity and rising extremism. He warned that extremists continue to exploit religious divisions to destabilise the country.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, highlighted how insecurity and declining public trust continue to affect national cohesion. He added that Nigeria is often misrepresented abroad due to distorted narratives about its security challenges. Akume assured that the government remains committed to protecting citizens and called on religious and traditional leaders to intensify peace-building efforts.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described insecurity as a major threat to peaceful coexistence and called for deeper cooperation between the government and faith-based organisations.
NIREC Executive Secretary, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, stressed the importance of coordinated action against terrorism and banditry, insisting that every Nigerian life must be valued and protected. He called for unity, behavioural change, and renewed commitment to shared national values.
