A Nigerian civic group, known as the End Sharia Now Campaign, has called for the urgent removal of all Islamic legal references from the country’s 1999 Constitution. The group warns that these provisions threaten Nigeria’s secular identity and undermine national unity.
The group’s convener, Benson Sunday, made the call in a statement released on Monday. He argued that sections of the Constitution enshrine Sharia law and Islamic legal systems in ways that conflict directly with Section 10 of the document, which clearly forbids adopting any religion as the state religion.
“Our Constitution says the Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion,” Sunday said. “Yet, it also contains numerous references that empower some states to operate Sharia law, which affects not only Muslims but also non-Muslims.”
Sunday’s analysis of the 1999 Constitution showed that the word “Sharia” appears 73 times, “Grand Kadi” 54 times, “Islam” 28 times, and “Muslim” 10 times. These terms, he said, are backed by legal sections that give 12 northern states the authority to run full Sharia legal systems, complete with religious police (Hisbah) and courts.
He pointed to specific sections of the Constitution, including Sections 260 to 264 and 275 to 279, which set up Sharia Courts of Appeal at both federal and state levels. Section 277(1) was also highlighted for limiting appointments of judges known as “Kadis” strictly to Muslims.
“This dual legal system creates divisions in our country,” Benson Sunday said. “It causes religious discrimination, limits freedom of belief, and can lead to persecution. This is a problem that affects all Nigerians, not just those in the North or followers of one religion.”
The End Sharia Now Campaign described Nigeria as a diverse nation of over 200 million people, made up of many ethnic groups, cultures, and religious beliefs. At independence, Nigerians were promised a nation governed by law, fairness, and democracy — not by religious or tribal rules.
“Our Constitution begins with the words, ‘We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having firmly and solemnly resolved to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under God,’” Sunday noted. “Yet, allowing parts of the country to be governed by Sharia courts contradicts this promise.”
The group also stressed that the issue of Sharia in the Constitution is not about Muslims versus Christians or any other religious divide, but about the need for a unified legal system that protects every citizen equally.
“Every Nigerian — Muslim, Christian, traditionalist, or atheist — deserves the protection of one Constitution, not religious laws dictated by one faith group,” Sunday said.
The campaign is urging civil society groups, religious leaders, political representatives, students, traditional rulers, and all freedom-loving Nigerians to join the movement to end constitutional provisions that support religious legal systems.
Calls for a secular constitution have gained momentum in recent years, as Nigeria continues to face challenges related to religious tensions, violence, and the need for inclusive governance.
Legal experts say removing Sharia references from the Constitution would be a complex process requiring constitutional amendments. This would need approval from the National Assembly and at least two-thirds of state legislatures.
Still, supporters of the campaign believe such reforms are necessary to preserve Nigeria’s secular foundation and protect citizens from discriminatory laws based on religion.
As the debate continues, many Nigerians hope that dialogue and peaceful reforms will strengthen unity and respect for the country’s diverse faiths and traditions.
