New Imams Appointed For Abuja National Mosque, Including Two From Southeast

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has taken a monumental step toward fostering inclusivity and unity by appointing five new Imams to the Abuja National Mosque. This move underscores the Council’s commitment to regional diversity and equitable representation within Nigeria’s Muslim community.

Significantly, two of the appointees hail from the Southeast, reflecting the Council’s merit-based approach to leadership and its goal of bridging cultural divides.

The appointments were announced at a press conference on Tuesday at the NSCIA Boardroom, National Mosque Complex, Abuja. Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the Secretary-General of the NSCIA, highlighted the rigorous selection process, which involved endorsements from the General Purpose Committee (GPC), the Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC), and clearance by the National Fatwa Committee.

The new Imams are:

Prof. Ilyasu Usman (visiting)
Prof. Luqman Zakariyah (resident)
Sheikh Abdulkadir Salman, PhD (visiting)
Barr. Haroun Muhammad Eze (resident)
Prof. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar (visiting)

Oloyede praised the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, for his visionary leadership, which has been instrumental in unifying the Muslim Ummah across Nigeria’s ethnic and regional lines.

The inclusion of Imams from diverse regions, particularly the Southeast, is a significant milestone. As Oloyede explained, “We aim to select the best individuals from every part of the country. These appointments show that unity is achievable when merit is the priority.”

Embracing Cultural Diversity within Islam

The new appointees also addressed the intersection of culture and religion, stressing the need for Muslims to prioritize Islamic teachings while preserving positive cultural values. Prof. Ilyasu Usman, one of the newly appointed Imams, noted, “Every tribe has good and bad practices. Islam encourages us to embrace the good and reject what contradicts our faith.”

The NSCIA reiterated that Islam serves as a unifying force that transcends tribal, ethnic, and cultural differences. This initiative is part of the Council’s ongoing strategy to strengthen the National Mosque as a center for worship, education, and Islamic scholarship.

Since its establishment in 1984, the Abuja National Mosque has been a beacon of spiritual and social cohesion. The latest appointments reinforce the NSCIA’s dedication to promoting inclusivity and ensuring that leadership reflects Nigeria’s diversity.