The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has firmly rejected fears of an Islamic agenda in Nigeria. He declared that Muslims have no plan to wipe out their Christian neighbours.
The monarch spoke on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, during the first triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja.
The meeting served as a high-level intervention to address deepening suspicion and mistrust across the federation.
While co-chairing the council, the Sultan explained that much of the violence often described as religious is actually misunderstood. He argued that mislabeling conflicts only worsens the national divide.
The Sultan was joined by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Together, they advocated for a “reset” in how Nigeria interprets its various internal conflicts.
The Fight Against Religious Stereotypes
During his address, the Sultan was categorical about the impossibility of a religious takeover. He insisted that both faiths must coexist in an environment of stability and respect.
“Today, as I stand here, I want to affirm that Muslims are not in a hurry and are not planning anything like decimating the population of Christians in Nigeria,” the Sultan stated.
“We are not in any position whatsoever to remove Christians from Nigeria. No, it is not possible,” he added.
Furthermore, he cautioned Nigerians against attaching religion to criminal acts like banditry or terrorism. He argued that calling attackers “Muslim terrorists” only serves the agenda of those seeking to tear the country apart.
“Let us get the narrative right, it is not about religion. Let us stop bringing religion into it. Let us call them what they are, criminals, not Muslim criminals, not Muslim terrorists, not Muslim bandits,” he declared.
The Sultan also warned that linguistic ability does not equal religious authority. He noted that understanding Arabic does not automatically make someone a Sheikh, emphasizing that education is vital to prevent ignorance.
Promoting Religious Literacy and National Stability
Archbishop Daniel Okoh framed the conversation around “religious literacy.” He defined this not as academic study, but as the cultivation of sensitivity for the beliefs of others.
He argued that tensions are often framed along religious lines, even when the root causes are economic or political.
“Religious literacy is not merely the academic understanding of doctrines or rituals. It is the cultivation of awareness, sensitivity and respect for the beliefs and practices of others,” Archbishop Okoh said.
He noted that NIREC has consistently proven that cooperation across faith lines is achievable through shared values of justice and dignity.
“Through NIREC, we have demonstrated that despite our religious differences, we share common values of peace, justice, dignity of human life, and the well-being of our nation,” the Christian leader added.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, linked this understanding to national security.
He promised that the government would ensure an end to the kidnapping of children who seek an education.
“Where there is ignorance, suspicion can take root. Where there is misunderstanding, conflict can arise. But where there is knowledge and empathy, trust can flourish,” George Akume stated.
The SGF called on schools and universities to prioritise inclusive teaching to challenge assumptions that divide Nigerians.
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