The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has pushed back against calls by some United States lawmakers urging Nigeria to abolish Sharia law, describing the move as ill-informed and a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Sharia law functions alongside statutory and customary legal systems in Nigeria and is practiced mainly in 12 northern states.
It was formally introduced in 1999 as a principal framework governing civil and criminal matters in those states, serving as a religious and moral guide for Muslim communities.
In a statement released on Wednesday, SCSN Secretary General, Nafiu Ahmad, stressed that Sharia represents a complete way of life for Muslims and cannot be abandoned because of foreign influence or pressure.
“No power or authority can arrogantly make Muslims relinquish its practice in response to external pressure, misinformation, or political intimidation,” the council said.
The group further maintained that Sharia practice is constitutionally safeguarded in Nigeria, citing provisions that guarantee freedom of religion and permit citizens to regulate personal and family affairs in line with their beliefs.
Addressing allegations of a so-called “Christian genocide,” the council rejected the characterization, arguing that it distorts the broader security crisis facing the nation.
According to the statement, Nigeria’s insecurity stems from terrorism, banditry, organized crime, and governance shortcomings, affecting both Muslims and Christians.
“The government appears either indifferent or incapable of resolving the security problem which has claimed the lives of Muslims and Christians alike,” the statement added, noting that framing the violence as religious persecution is “inaccurate and unhelpful.”
The SCSN concluded by urging respect for Nigeria’s diverse legal structure and multi-faith composition, warning that external interference in the practice of Sharia is unnecessary and counterproductive.
