The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has unveiled newly appointed five additional resident and visiting Imams for National Mosque in Abuja.
Among the newly appointees is Professor Iliyasu Usman, the first Igbo Muslim to serve as Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque.
Speaking on Tuesday during the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, Usman highlighted the compatibility of certain Igbo cultural values with Islam.
He emphasized his commitment to preserving positive aspects of Igbo culture while adhering strictly to Islamic teachings.
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The event was officiated by the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the current Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.
Usman, who hails from Enugu State and is the first Professor of Arabic in Igboland, said, “Every tribe has a culture, and every culture has positives and negatives.
I accept good Igbo culture, like communal relationships and being our brothers’ keepers, but I reject practices like idol worship and anything prohibited by Islam.”
He clarified that his Islamic faith does not diminish his Igbo identity but instead guides him to embrace what is good and reject what is harmful.
The other newly appointed Imams include: Prof. Luqman Zakariyah (Osun State), Dr. Sheikh Abdulkadir Salman (Kwara State), Bar. Haroun Muhammad Eze (Enugu State) and Prof. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar (Plateau State).
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Prof. Oloyede, in his remarks, explained that the appointments align with the NSCIA’s commitment to selecting individuals of high character and scholarship to oversee spiritual activities at the National Mosque.
“The appointment of the five additional Imams is part of efforts to enhance the religious affairs unit of the National Mosque and harness its potential as a center for worship, training, and scholarship,” he said.
Oloyede noted that the inclusion of two Imams from the Southeast-South-South region underscores the inclusive nature of Islam, which prioritizes qualifications over regional or tribal affiliations.
The unveiling marks a significant step in fostering unity and diversity within the leadership of one of Nigeria’s most prominent Islamic institutions.