The Council of Ulama in Nigeria has called for greater coordination and uniformity in Islamic preaching to prevent misinterpretation of the Qur’an and divisions among Muslims.
The call was made at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Council, held at the headquarters of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna, where religious leaders also discussed insecurity, governance, poverty and moral decadence in the country.
In a message to the conference, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, urged Islamic scholars to promote unity and strictly adhere to the teachings of Islam.
The Sultan, who was represented by the Secretary-General of JNI, Sheikh Khalid Aliyu, described Islam as a religion of peace and stressed the need for harmony among its followers, particularly religious leaders.
He cautioned against preaching that promotes hatred, noting that such conduct could reflect a shallow understanding of the Qur’an and Islamic teachings.
Speaking on the activities of the Council, its National Secretary, Professor Muhammad Sadiq Abubakar, said the annual conference provides an opportunity for Islamic scholars to review developments affecting Muslims and the wider Nigerian society.
He explained that the Council makes recommendations on issues discussed and forwards its resolutions to relevant authorities for consideration and action.
On insecurity, Professor Abubakar expressed concern that banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges had persisted despite repeated recommendations by religious leaders over the past five years.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen its response by engaging security chiefs, setting clear performance targets and holding them accountable for results.
The cleric maintained that although the government had made efforts to address insecurity, more decisive measures were needed to end the persistent violence.
In a paper titled Islamic Perspective on the Present Political Dispensation, Dr. Usman Muhammad Bugaje attributed the rising levels of poverty, moral decadence and insecurity partly to poor or irregular budget implementation.
He observed that implementation of the previous year’s budget reportedly began around June, a delay he said had affected development and the delivery of expected benefits to Nigerians.
Dr. Bugaje urged Muslim leaders to take an active role in democratic processes, noting that the Qur’an provides principles of leadership that can guide efforts to promote justice, accountability and the welfare of citizens.
In his address, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, represented by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Alhaji Isa Ashiru Kudan, urged Islamic scholars to examine their own conduct while addressing the challenges facing society.
He called on the religious leaders to use their positions to promote moral values and social responsibility for a better and more prosperous society.
Atiku also cautioned religious leaders against openly favouring particular political candidates, urging them to maintain fairness and ensure that resolutions reached at the conference were implemented.
Similarly, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, represented by the Director-General of Interreligious Affairs, Mallam Tahir Umar Tahir, expressed concern over what he described as declining mutual respect among religious leaders.
The governor noted that some religious leaders had resorted to disparaging one another for personal reasons, a development he said could undermine unity and peaceful coexistence.
He urged them to see themselves as partners in promoting religious harmony and contributing to national development.
Governor Uba Sani commended the organisers of the conference and pledged his administration’s support for initiatives aimed at promoting religious activities and peaceful coexistence in Kaduna State.
Cov/SHINDONG BALA
