The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has stated that Muslims retain constitutional rights to practise their faith, including the application of Shariah principles in personal and civil matters, and that no authority can lawfully prohibit such practice.
The council made the declaration in Kaduna on Thursday, February 26, 2026, during a briefing on the role of Shariah arbitration panels.
Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmad explained that the panels serve as voluntary mechanisms for resolving civil disputes among consenting Muslims, particularly in matters of marriage and inheritance.
He stressed that participation is optional and does not override the conventional judicial system.
Citing constitutional provisions on freedom of religion, Baba-Ahmad said Shariah practice remains protected within Nigeria’s legal framework and does not constitute a parallel judicial structure.
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Shariah courts in states that operate them handle Islamic personal law issues, while conventional courts retain jurisdiction over criminal and broader civil matters.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence and urged responsible public discourse on religious issues.
Debates over the scope of Shariah implementation emerged in the early 2000s when several northern states expanded its application beyond personal law, prompting ongoing legal and political discussions.
Nigeria’s federal structure accommodates Shariah courts within defined jurisdictional limits, alongside customary and conventional courts.
The council reiterated that religious practice remains a fundamental right under the Constitution and that disputes should be addressed through dialogue and legal processes in Nigeria.