The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) on Thursday insisted that the practice of Shariah in Nigeria is a divine ordinance and an integral part of Muslim life, warning that no foreign power can force Nigerian Muslims to abandon it.
The SCSN Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, stated this in a statement in response to a recent report by the United States lawmakers. The US lawmakers, including Riley Moore and Chris Smith, investigated the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria and came up with a report.
It would be recalled that President Donald Trump after designating Nigeria as a country of particular concern, set up a Rep panel to investigate persecution of Christians in Nigeria and submit the report to him.
This has thrown up some recommendations put forward by the Congress, in conjunction with House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Appropriations Committee, followed months of investigations into alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
Insisting that Nigeria was the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian, the lawmakers called for repeal of sharia codes and blasphemy laws in Nigeria’s northern states, which had been used to silence dissent and target minorities.
They urged the Trump’s administration to leverage its position to compel Fulani herdsmen to disarm, potentially by blocking beef exports to countries such as Ghana, South Africa and Senegal.
To counter the influence of extremist groups, the lawmakers called on the government to allow farmers engage in legitimate self-defence and also implement programmes to disrupt terrorist financing networks.
SCSN has now come out to say that the report inaccurately portrays Nigeria as a site of “Christian genocide” and unfairly questions the inalienable right of Nigerian Muslims to practice Shariah.
“Shariah constitutes a comprehensive way of life for Muslims, encompassing spiritual, moral, social, and legal dimensions. It is the divinely ordained framework through which Muslims regulate their personal and communal affairs,” the council said.
The statement said Shariah practice in Nigeria is protected under the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and allows adherents to conduct personal matters in accordance with their faith.
“Shariah courts operate lawfully within these constitutional limits, and any attempt to criminalise, delegitimise, or externally dictate Shariah practice undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty and religious freedom,” the council said.
It rejected foreign interference, warning that simplistic, biased narratives risk inflaming tensions, deepening mistrust, and undermining peaceful coexistence.
It dismissed the “Christian genocide” narrative as false, noting that Nigeria’s security crisis affects both Muslims and Christians and stems from terrorism, banditry, organised crime, and governance deficits.
“The council unequivocally condemns all killings across Nigeria, mourns every innocent life lost, and rejects politicisation of human suffering,” it said, urging the government to act decisively to end insecurity and restore public confidence through justice and accountability.
As Muslims observe Ramadan, SCSN called on the Ummah to intensify prayers and acts of righteousness, remain law-abiding, and continue peaceful coexistence with all Nigerians.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our faith is not negotiable, our Constitution is clear, and our sovereignty must be respected by other nations and protected by our government,” the council added.
