The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently reform Nigeria’s security architecture and take stronger measures to bring down the rising cost of food and transportation.

The call was made at the Council’s General Assembly held in Abuja on October 1, 2026, where Muslim leaders from across the country considered issues affecting the Muslim community and the wider Nigerian society.

The assembly was presided over by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, with Secretary-General Professor Is-haq Oloyede among the council’s principal officers. The General Assembly is the council’s highest decision-making organ.

On security, the NSCIA called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s existing security structure and expressed support for decentralised policing.

However, the council stressed that any move towards decentralised policing must be backed by professionalism, constitutional safeguards, accountability, adequate funding, respect for fundamental rights and effective coordination between federal and state security agencies.

The position comes amid continuing concerns over insecurity in different parts of Nigeria, with the council arguing that stronger and more coordinated security arrangements are necessary to protect lives and property.

The NSCIA also raised concerns about the economic pressure facing ordinary Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to accelerate efforts aimed at reducing the cost of food and transportation.

The council acknowledged ongoing efforts to reform the economy but maintained that Nigerians needed to see faster and more tangible relief from the rising cost of living.

Beyond security and the economy, the General Assembly also addressed issues concerning religious freedom.

The council called on government institutions and employers to respect the rights of Muslim women and girls to wear hijab, including Muslim female students, female members of the National Youth Service Corps, security personnel and Muslim women working in other sectors.

It also raised concerns about the treatment of hijab in international schools operated by the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Lagos, urging the institutions to comply with relevant court decisions and respect constitutional protections for religious practice.

The NSCIA further renewed its call for the implementation of a court judgment concerning the rights of Muslim students at Rivers State University, including the provision of space for Muslim worship on campus.

The issue has been raised by Muslim groups in Rivers State previously. In March 2026, representatives of the Muslim community appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for land allocation for a mosque at Rivers State University, alongside requests for a central mosque in Port Harcourt and restoration of a Muslim section of a cemetery.

The council also encouraged Muslims to play a more active role in national development by obtaining their National Identification Numbers and Permanent Voter Cards and participating in elections and other civic responsibilities.

Education also featured prominently in the assembly’s discussions, with the NSCIA advocating an educational system that combines Islamic learning with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

The council urged Muslim organisations and individuals to pursue greater economic self-reliance through lawful investments and mechanisms such as Zakat and Waqf.

On Hajj administration, the General Assembly adopted the 2026 report of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and endorsed recommendations aimed at repositioning the pilgrimage sector.

The assembly also approved a restructuring and expansion of the NSCIA’s National Executive Council.

Under the new arrangement, Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji was appointed Deputy Secretary-General for National Affairs, while Professor Salisu Shehu was assigned responsibility for International Affairs. Mallam Abeny Mohammed, SAN, was appointed Deputy Secretary-General for Corporate Matters, while Dr Bala Muhammad became Deputy Secretary-General for Administration.

The council also appointed Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu as Public Relations Officer, Hajia Sekinat Lawal as Deputy Public Relations Officer, Dr Mairo Mandara as Development Officer, Architect Abdullahi Musa PenAbdul as Deputy Development Officer (Technical), and Professor Fatimah Abdulkarim as Family Affairs Officer.

The General Assembly came shortly after the NSCIA held a special national prayer in Abuja on September 30, seeking peace, security, unity and sustainable development for Nigeria.

The council’s latest position places security, economic hardship, religious rights, education and civic participation at the centre of its engagement with national affairs as it calls for stronger action to improve the welfare and stability of Nigerians.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia