Shariah Council Urges Nigeria to Reassess Engagement with Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
Council warns against deepening diplomatic ties, citing humanitarian concerns and historical foreign policy principles.
Abuja, Nigeria — August 28, 2025
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), has issued a formal statement urging the federal government to reconsider its recent diplomatic engagements with Israel. The Council expressed concern over the potential implications of such ties, particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On August 11, 2025, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu-Odumegwu, hosted Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel-Harpaz, in Abuja. The discussions reportedly covered various sectors, including agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy, education, and security cooperation. The inclusion of security-related topics, such as intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism collaboration, has raised concerns among various groups within Nigeria.
In its statement, the SCSN condemned the idea of Nigeria entering into mutual security arrangements with Israel, describing it as a “grave departure” from the nation’s principled foreign policy. The Council emphasized that such engagements could compromise Nigeria’s integrity and moral standing on the global stage.
The SCSN’s statement has garnered attention from various quarters, with some expressing support for the Council’s position while others explained that Nigeria government is engaged in the same activity in the Southeast as the Israeli government in Palestine. However, the Council’s leadership, including Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmad and President Sheikh Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, reiterated that Nigeria’s historical stance is of justice, liberation, and non-alignment with oppressors. They called on the Nigerian government to reaffirm its commitment to these principles and to avoid becoming entangled in the ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict.
The SCSN’s call for a reassessment of Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with Israel underscores the delicate balance the country must maintain in its foreign relations. As Nigeria navigates its position on the global stage, the government’s decisions regarding international partnerships and alignments will have significant implications for its domestic and international standing.
