Abuja, Nigeria – February 27, 2026 – The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has firmly rejected a recent report by United States lawmakers calling for the repeal of Shariah and blasphemy laws in Nigeria, declaring that no external or internal authority can compel Nigerian Muslims to abandon the practice of Shariah. The council described Shariah as a divinely mandated, comprehensive way of life central to Muslim existence and protected under Nigeria's Constitution.
In a statement issued Thursday, SCSN Secretary-General Nafiu Baba Ahmad responded directly to the joint report submitted to President Donald Trump by members of the US House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs. The report, presented on February 23, 2026, followed an investigation led by Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV) and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee. It stemmed from President Trump's redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations in October 2025.
The US congressional report highlighted ongoing allegations of persecution against Christians in Nigeria, attributing part of the problem to Shariah criminal codes and blasphemy laws enforced in 12 northern states. It described Nigeria as "the most dangerous place in the world to practice the Christian faith," citing jihadist networks, Fulani militias, Boko Haram, and ISWAP as exploiters of weak enforcement. Recommendations included demanding the repeal of Shariah and blasphemy laws, establishing a US–Nigeria security pact to protect vulnerable Christian communities and dismantle extremist groups, imposing targeted sanctions and visa bans on perpetrators, withholding certain US funding until progress is made, and providing technical assistance to address militia violence.
The SCSN countered that the report inaccurately portrays Nigeria as a site of "Christian genocide" and unfairly challenges the inalienable rights of Muslims to practice their faith. "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 stated.
The statement emphasized that Shariah practice in Nigeria is constitutionally safeguarded. Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees freedom of religion, while Section 277 allows for the establishment of Shariah courts in states that request them, with jurisdiction limited to personal and family matters for consenting Muslims. Shariah penal codes in northern states operate within these legal bounds, applying only to Muslims. The SCSN warned that any attempt to criminalize, delegitimize, or externally dictate Shariah practice would threaten Nigeria's sovereignty, constitutional order, and the fundamental principle of religious freedom.
The council dismissed foreign interference as counterproductive, cautioning that "simplistic and biased narratives" could inflame tensions, deepen mistrust between communities, and undermine peaceful coexistence in Nigeria's multi-religious society. It rejected the "Christian genocide" framing, arguing that the country's security crisis—driven by terrorism, banditry, organized crime, and governance failures—affects both Muslims and Christians alike. "The council unequivocally condemns all killings across Nigeria, mourns every innocent life lost, and rejects politicisation of human suffering," the statement read.
The SCSN urged Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts against insecurity through decisive action, justice, and accountability to restore public confidence. As Muslims observe Ramadan, the council called on the Ummah to increase prayers, righteous deeds, and law-abiding conduct while fostering peaceful relations 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 statement concluded.
The US report has sparked broader reactions. The Nigerian Federal Government, through Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, rebutted claims of a state policy of religious persecution, attributing violence to complex factors like terrorism and communal tensions rather than religious bias. Islamic leaders, including figures from the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), have echoed concerns over sovereignty and interfaith harmony.
The controversy highlights longstanding debates over religious freedom, security, and international involvement in Nigeria's affairs. Shariah implementation in northern Nigeria dates to 1999–2000, when several states adopted it amid democratic transitions, leading to periodic international scrutiny, particularly from bodies like the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
As the 2027 elections approach and security challenges persist, the SCSN's position underscores deep sensitivities around faith, law, and national autonomy. The council's declaration reinforces that Shariah remains non-negotiable for Nigerian Muslims, even as global calls for reforms continue amid efforts to address violence affecting all communities.
