President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Malam Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, who died in the early hours of Tuesday after a career marked by service to Islam and Nigeria.
The President expressed sadness over the death and described Baba-Ahmed as a respected administrator and religious leader who played an important role in the affairs of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria.
According to Tinubu, the late Secretary-General steered the affairs of the council with wisdom, foresight and a strong commitment to unity, justice and peaceful coexistence.
Tinubu Recalls Long Association With Baba-Ahmed
The President also recalled his longstanding association with Baba-Ahmed, particularly during the political period leading to the 2011 election and in subsequent years.
Tinubu specifically remembered the late Islamic leader’s counsel and support during his 2023 presidential campaign.
That relationship, the President noted, reflected Baba-Ahmed’s broader involvement in national affairs and his willingness to contribute to political and social discussions beyond his responsibilities within the Shari’ah Council.
Moreover, Tinubu acknowledged the deceased’s role in maintaining the council’s voice on national issues and encouraging greater understanding among different segments of society.
Leader Promoted Justice and Peaceful Coexistence
The President said Baba-Ahmed contributed to the promotion of moral renewal and social justice throughout his years of service.
As Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Baba-Ahmed occupied a central administrative position within the organisation and participated in engagements involving the Muslim community, government institutions, civil society and the wider public.
The council described him as an Islamic activist, legal practitioner, public intellectual, administrator and devoted servant of the Muslim community.
Consequently, his death represents a loss not only to the organisation but also to the wider communities in which he worked.
Baba-Ahmed’s Professional and Public Service
Baba-Ahmed’s career extended beyond religious leadership.
He combined Islamic education with formal legal training and developed experience in law, public policy, governance and institutional administration.
He also held positions in Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors, including roles connected to the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation and First Interstate Merchant Bank.
In addition, he played a role in the development of Islamic banking in Nigeria. He served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank and participated in board governance.
His professional background therefore brought together religious leadership, legal knowledge, financial-sector experience and public-policy engagement.
Role in National Conversations
Beyond his formal responsibilities, Baba-Ahmed participated in national discussions involving justice, religious freedom, constitutional rights, governance and the welfare of the Muslim community.
His interventions on issues affecting Muslims and the Nigerian nation reflected a combination of legal knowledge, religious understanding and public engagement.
Meanwhile, Tinubu highlighted his contribution to sustaining the council’s voice on national issues and fostering greater understanding.
This role made Baba-Ahmed part of a broader network of religious, professional and civic voices involved in discussions about Nigeria’s social and institutional development.
Tinubu Extends Condolences
Following his death, President Tinubu extended his condolences to the President and members of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Baba-Ahmed’s family, the government and people of Kaduna State and the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.
The President also prayed for the deceased’s forgiveness and admission into Jannatul Firdaus while asking Allah to grant his family and the Muslim community the strength to bear the loss.
The Supreme Council similarly expressed condolences to Baba-Ahmed’s family, colleagues, associates and members of the Muslim community, describing his death as a significant loss to the organisation and the nation.
A Career Spanning Religion, Law and Public Service
Baba-Ahmed was born on June 11, 1956, in Zaria, Kaduna State. He received Qur’anic and Islamic education before studying law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
His professional journey subsequently covered law, banking, corporate governance, Islamic finance, public administration and religious leadership.
He was also associated with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, reflecting his involvement in national policy and strategic discussions.
Therefore, his career extended across several institutions and sectors, giving him a broad professional background that complemented his role within the Shari’ah Council.
A Loss for Nigeria’s Muslim Community
The death of the council’s Secretary-General comes as a significant loss for Nigeria’s Muslim community and the institutions with which he worked.
For the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Baba-Ahmed’s contribution included organisational administration, public engagement and representation of the council’s interests.
For President Tinubu, his passing also marks the loss of an individual with whom he had maintained a relationship spanning several years of Nigeria’s political and public life.
Ultimately, the tributes surrounding Baba-Ahmed’s death reflect the different dimensions of his career, from Islamic leadership and legal practice to corporate governance and national discourse.
As his family, colleagues and the Muslim community mourn, attention will now turn to preserving the institutional work and legacy associated with his years of service.
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