The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to reduce the rising cost of food and transportation, while also demanding a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s security architecture.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the NSCIA General Assembly in Abuja. The communiqué was signed by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, alongside the Secretary-General, Professor Is-haq Oloyede.
The council said the continued pressure from insecurity and the high cost of living was placing a heavy burden on ordinary Nigerians and required faster and more effective government intervention.
According to the council, reducing the cost of food and transportation should be treated as an urgent national priority because increases in both areas have a direct impact on household expenses and the wider economy.
Transportation costs have remained a major concern for Nigerians, particularly workers, students, traders and low-income households who depend heavily on public transport. Higher transport fares also increase the cost of moving agricultural produce and other goods from farms and production centres to markets, which can eventually contribute to higher prices for consumers.
The NSCIA also called for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security system, arguing that the country needs a stronger and more coordinated approach to dealing with insecurity.
The council expressed support for decentralised policing but stressed that any such arrangement must be based on professionalism, constitutional safeguards, accountability, adequate funding and respect for fundamental human rights. It also called for effective coordination between federal and state security institutions.
The security demand comes against the background of continuing attacks and insecurity in parts of the country. The latest concerns were highlighted by the recent ISWAP attack on a military base in Kukawa, Borno State, where at least 10 Nigerian soldiers were reportedly killed. The military said troops repelled the attack and killed more than 25 insurgents.
Beyond security and the economy, the council also raised concerns about religious rights and urged government institutions to respect the rights of Muslim women and girls who choose to wear the hijab.
The NSCIA specifically mentioned Muslim female students, female NYSC members, female security personnel and Muslim women working in other sectors. It also called on some universities to comply with Supreme Court decisions concerning the use of hijab.
The council’s latest position places the cost of living and security among the major issues it believes require immediate attention from the government. It urged authorities to move beyond policies and take practical steps that Nigerians can feel in their everyday lives.
The council also encouraged Nigerians to participate actively in nation-building, obtain their National Identification Numbers and Permanent Voter Cards and take part in choosing leaders at different levels of government.
It further called for greater investment in quality education, including education that combines Islamic knowledge with science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
The NSCIA’s demands come at a time when Nigerians continue to closely watch the government’s economic reforms and their impact on household incomes, food prices, transportation and general living conditions. The council acknowledged government efforts to revamp the economy but maintained that more urgent action is needed to reduce the pressure being experienced by ordinary citizens.
