Jumu’atul Muslimeen appeal to Gov Sanwo-Olu On Iconic Shitta Bey Mosque

Designated as National monument by the Nigerian Commission for Museums and Monuments An architectural master piece of Brazilian and Portuguese tints, completed in 1891 Iconic heritage, first recognised Mosque of international standard in modern Nigeria A monumental loss of historical significance to the people of Lagos and Muslim Ummah in Nigeria

By Abdulfattah Abdussalam

The Jumu’atul Muslimeen Council, otherwise known as Executive Council of the Lagos Central Mosque on behalf  of  the Bashorun Council of Olowogbowo Division, has written, a passionate letter of appeal to the Government of Lagos state, under the watch of His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Lead and champion the Initiative of Lagos Muslim community For the Restoration Of the Iconic Shitta Bey Mosque, in Lagos state razed  in an inferno on Wednesday, 24 December, 2025.

In a letter sighted by PEACE Magazine and signed by Alhaji Chief Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy, the Baba Adinni of Lagos and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Central Mosque, the Jumu’atul Muslimeen Council, earnestly believe that the noble objective to restore the Shitta-Bey Mosque (Moshalashi Shitta-Bey), to greater glory can be quick, and efficiently achieved if the Governor and his administration can spearhead the efforts already started by the Ummah on the burnt mosque. Especially that the famous Mosque until the day it was razed by the unfortunate inferno that started from, Great Nigerian House and affected other buildings along the Nnamdi Azikwe street in the heart of Lagos Island, is still popular and still remains the mainRatibi mosque where Muslims of all human endeveours, tradersand visitors who daily throng the Central Business District in Lagos Island, perform their obligatory five daily prayers “Salat”, everyday of the week.

The mosque according to the contents of the letter symbolizes, the unity of Ummah in Lagos Island, noble sacrifice, altruistic philanthropic gestures, honest entrepreneurship, birth of industry and commerce, deep empathy and care of others, and dedication to the advancement of people of Lagos.

To underscore why the Governor of Lagos State, should lead in the redevelopment of the Mosque, the letter reminds, His Excellency: “It is pertinent here to remind you of the facts you are well acquainted of as a fellow Lagos Islander of the rich historical background of this Mosque and its significance to Islamic development in Lagos State.

This is the first recognised Mosque of international standard in modern Nigeria, with architectural master piece of Brazilian and Portuguese tints, which was completed in 1891. The building of the Mosque was solely financed by Chief Muhammad Shitta-Bey (hitherto named William Shitta) and the ceremonial opening of the Mosque took place in July 4th, 1891, in the presence of Governor Carter, along with Abdullahi from Turkey and Guelliam from Liverpool, who on behalf of Sultan of Turkey, conferred Chief Muhammad Shitta with the title of Bey and gave him a Badge of honour to confirm the title. The representatives of the Turkish government- which had sovereignty over much of the Islamic World at the period- considered it worthy to invest, Chief Muhammad Shittawith the title of a BEY (a high Islam cum Political title in Turkey and Islamic World of the time). The Mosque he bequeathed to the Muslim Ummah in Lagos was later designated as National monument by the Nigerian Commission for Museums and Monuments”.

The letter gives good account of the magnanimous contributions of Chief Muhammad Shitta-Bey to Islam in Lagos and Nigeria which were recognised within his immediate Muslim Community of Lagos Island and beyond. Aside from building the Iconic Shitta-Bey mosque, he  was the first person that reconstructed, in 1873, the then main Lagos Central Mosque- which was just a few blocks away from the ShittaBey Mosque. By so doing, he brought the Lagos Central Mosque to a befitting standard. He replaced the mud structure built in 1864 with blocks, cements and corrugated iron sheets. In addition, his charitable trajectory, systematically replaced thatched roofs of many mosques across Lagos and replacing them with corrugated iron sheets.

Over time, Shitta-Bey mosque has become a famous heritage of Lagos Islander. And it was in recognition of the lofty works of late Muhammad Shitta-Bey,  that the Muslim Elders in Lagos Island bestowed on him the first Islamic title of Seriki Muslumin of Lagos and later recognized, him as second Baba Ajo (equivalent of the present Baba Adinni) of Lagos.

The letter on behalf of the noble family members of Muhammed Shitta-Bey, the Bashorun in Council of Olowogbowo Division, the Jumu’atul Muslimeen Council (Executive Council of the Central Mosque, and the entire Muslim Ummah of Lagos Island and Lagos State, implored his Excellency to provide all that is needed and required to bring back the glory of the mosque in record time. They besieged Almighty Allah to always protectand guide alright, his cabinet members and the entire citizen and people of Lagos State.

About Shittta-Bey Mosque

Shitta-Bey Mosque is a mosque, religious learning centre and one of the oldest mosques in Southern Nigeria and the first internationally recognised mosque in Nigeria. The mosque is located at Martins Ereko Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria. It was established in 1892 and designated as National monument by Nigerian Commission for Museums and Monuments in 2013. The mosque, considered one of the most important historical legacies of Nigeria, Shitta-Bey Mosque was named after its founder Sierra Leonean-born Nigerian, Mohammed Shitta Bey, who was an aristocrat, philanthropist and businessman.

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