The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has approved an expanded leadership structure aimed at strengthening the administration, coordination and public communication of the organisation.
The development followed the NSCIA General Assembly held in Abuja, where Muslim leaders deliberated on issues concerning the Muslim community and wider Nigerian society. The Council is headed by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Under the new structure, the NSCIA has created specialised leadership responsibilities covering international affairs, national affairs, corporate matters and administration.
Professor Salisu Shehu, an existing Deputy Secretary-General, has been assigned responsibility for International Affairs, while Professor Mahfouz A. Adedimeji has been appointed Deputy Secretary-General in charge of National Affairs.
Mallam Abeny Mohammed, SAN, will oversee Corporate Matters, while Dr Bala Muhammad has been assigned responsibility for Administration.
The Council also announced Professor Ahmed Jibrin Gwandu as Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Hajia Sekinat Lawal as Deputy Public Relations Officer (DPRO).
The appointments place public communication within the Council’s expanded administrative framework and are expected to provide dedicated coordination for its engagement with the public, media and other stakeholders.
The NSCIA describes itself as the apex Islamic authority in Nigeria and says it was established in 1973 to promote and protect the interests of Islam and Muslims across the country. Its headquarters is located at the National Mosque Complex in Abuja.
The leadership restructuring comes as the Council continues to maintain its institutional role in coordinating Islamic affairs and communicating its positions on issues affecting Muslims and the wider Nigerian society.
Available reports on the latest development identify Gwandu and Lawal specifically by their new public-relations designations. Claims describing both appointees simply as “journalists” should therefore be treated carefully unless supported by an official NSCIA biography or communiqué. The available reporting confirms their appointments as PRO and DPRO, respectively.
The NSCIA has expanded its leadership structure, assigning new portfolios for international, national, corporate and administrative affairs while appointing Professor Ahmed Jibrin Gwandu as PRO and Hajia Sekinat Lawal as DPRO.