The Ummah Movement with headquarters at the National Islamic Centre (NIC) , Dogarawa Zaria, Kaduna State, on Saturday, 4th April, 2026 (16th Shawwal, 1447 AH), held its 28th National Ummah Convention at the Muslim Council Secretariat, Jalingo,Taraba State.
The theme of the Convention, according to the Communique issued at the of the event and signed by Prof. Muhammad Babangida, National Amir, NIC and Mustafa Ibrahim, Chairman Communique Committee, was: THE ROLE OF MUSLIMS IN NATION BUILDING: Challenges and Opportunities.
The Communique which addressed a wide range of national and international issues reads:
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 28th NATIONAL UMMAH CONVENTION, HELD ON 16th SHAWWAL,
1447 HIJRA (4th April, 2026 ) AT TARABA MUSLIM COUNCIL , JALINGO.
PREAMBLE
The 28th National Ummah Convention, of the Ummah Movement with headquarters at the
National Islamic Centre, Dogarawa Zaria, was held at the Muslim Council Secretariat, Jalingo,
Taraba State, on 16th Shawwal, 1447 (4th April, 2026). The theme of the Convention was; ‘THE ROLE OF MUSLIMS IN NATION BUILDING: Challenges and Opportunities’. Two key papers were presented: Khair Ummah and Nation-Building in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Role of Scholars by Prof. Ahmad Bello Dogarawa, of ABU represented by Dr. Bello Bashir Gwarzo, and Mobilising Citizens for Better Nigeria: Raising Public Awareness, The New National Agenda by Dr. Aminu Ismail Sagagi of BUK.
The occasion was co-chaired by Dr. Ahmed Hamidu Kara, the Head of Service,Taraba State, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Alh. Usman Madu and Emeritus Prof. Musa Muhammad Borodo, Amir, Kano Ummah, standing in for the Chairman of the Majlis.
Goodwill messages were given by the Chairman of Imams of Taraba State, Dr. Sa’adanu Lawan Bantaje; and Dr. Tijjani Usman Karofi, Chairman, Majlis Shura, Taraba State NIC.
The representative of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, in person of Hon. Hussaini Ismail, his Special Assistant on Muslim affairs, promised strong government support to the NIC community projects in Taraba State.
The Chairman of Jalingo LGA, Alhaji Nura Dantsoho advised the Ummah to always pray for the success of leaders at various levels. The member representing Jalingo I in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Alhaji Adamu Sarki, expressed his support for the NIC and prayed for sustainable peace in Taraba State and Nigeria in general.
Twelve states and the FCT sent in over 413 delegates to the Convention.
OBSERVATIONS
1. It is disturbing that careless Social media messages from Muslims who are not versatile in Islamic jurisprudence have constituted a source of confusion to poorly educated Muslims as well as non- Muslims.
2. Sadly, the Federal Government sometimes proposes policies and programmes that ignore the needs and strategic interests of the Muslim Ummah, for example the Samoa agreement and the Tax Law that it was forced to modify.
3. It was lamented that the incumbent INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, who is supposed to be an impartial umpire in the electoral process of the country, is the architect of the false and treasonable report about the claim of “Christian Genocide” in the country, a report which lacks any evidence and which was discredited by the same government of President Bola Tinubu.
4. It was observed that the INEC Chairman was appointed over the objections of the Muslims of Nigeria and unfortunately he has revealed his hand with plans to embark on an unconstitutional “re-validation” of voters cards exercise, apparently aimed at disenfranchising Muslims.
5. It was suggested that weakness of faith and waning in the spirit of unity is amongst the critical challenges facing the larger Muslim Community.
6. As part of its principled stand for truth and justice to every citizen, the NIC does not condemn other Muslims when they differ in their understanding or interpretation on non-fundamental issues, the same way earlier generations (Salaf) tolerated these separate understandings.
7. Part of the problems of governance in Nigeria include weak institutions, abuse of power, corruption and lack of accountability. In particular there is poor support by the Federal Government for agriculture, although its renewed interest in supporting husbandry and animal rearing is commendable.
8. Nigeria faces the challenge of poverty in the form of concentration of wealth in few hands, high unemployment and painful inflation.
9. There is continuing concern about disturbing incidents of terrorism, banditry, and civil unrest across the country, particularly in the North west and the North east.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Muslim Social media users should verify news and messages before posting them or making comments on them and avoid posts that promote disunity.
2. The Ummah Movement should continue to monitor government policies and programmes and collaborate with sister Islamic Organisations in defending Muslims interests through engagement with stakeholders, and other lawful means .
3. The Ummah Movement should continue to uphold the principle of al ambr bil ma’aruf (calling to good conduct) and al-nahy an al munkar (warning against ungodly conduct) as a means of promoting guidance, establishing truth and inculcating morality with a view to bringing about societal reform and development.
4. The Federal Government should listen to the genuine concern of Muslims over the credibility deficit of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan and replace him with a more credible person as soon as possible.
5. The Federal Government and INEC should immediately halt the unconstitutional “re-validation” of voters card exercise, instead the normal process of registering new coming-of-age voters, correction of errors on voters’ cards and replacement of damaged cards should continue as provided by law.
6. Political leaders are advised to strengthen good governance by institutionalising transparency, accountability and public oversight of key institutions, and they should deliver their electoral promises to the citizens to earn their trust and confidence.
7. Islamic organisations should promote redistributive tools like Zakah and Waqf (endowments) as well as patronise ethical finance (interest-free financial programs and risk-sharing opportunities) to reduce the level of poverty in our society. Ummah branches are particularly urged to explore the opportunities provided by Islamic finance institutions as well as create skills development programmes in order to empower Muslim youth, women and vulnerable groups. Proven models in Sokoto, Gombe, Kaduna and Zamfara States serve as excellent take-off and reference points.
8. The Federal government should address the root causes of insecurity (i.e.poverty, injustice) as well as pursue community-based peace-building and community based security systems to help end the insecurity in the country.
9. Delegates condemned the joint United States-Israel attack on Iran and urged Muslim nations to unite and defend all oppressed Muslims wherever they might be in the world.
APPRECIATIONS
The Convention expressed its sincere appreciation for the collective efforts made by the Taraba State branch towards the success of the 28th Ummah Convention. The delegates also extended their heartfelt appreciation to the National Convention Committee, the Taraba State Chapter and the Local Organising Committee (LOC). The Ummah movement on its part appreciates the hospitality of the people and government of Taraba State and the growing culture of peace, tolerance and mutual understanding that is sustained across the State.
Prof. Muhammad Babangida
National Amir, NIC.
Mustafa Ibrahim
Chairman Communique Committee