National Unity, Economic Liberation, and the Duty of Muslims in Protecting Nigeria’s Sovereignty

By Dr Tajuddeen Oyebanji Imam

اَلْـحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ، وَنَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا.

مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللّٰهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ.

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.

All praise is due to Allah. Dear brothers and sisters, Nigeria, our beloved nation, stands today at a critical moment. Foreign forces attempt to divide us, weaken our unity, sabotage our economic independence, and ignite religious hatred. But Islam commands unity, justice, and protection of one’s homeland.

Qur’ānic Foundation for National Unity

قَالَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالَى:

﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللّٰهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا﴾

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together, and do not be divided.” (Āl ʿImrān 3:103)

Unity is not optional; it is a divine command.

Islam Forbids Tribalism, Hatred, and Division:

The Prophet (pbuh) said: «لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ دَعَا إِلَى عَصَبِيَّةٍ»

“He is not one of us who calls to tribalism.” (Abu Dawud)

Islam rejects any ideology that destroys national peace—whether ethnic, regional, or religious.

Nigeria’s Economic Liberation: A Blessing from Allah. Nigeria has begun reclaiming its economic sovereignty. The establishment of the Dangote Refinery, one of the largest in the world, signifies: Processing our own crude oil, Reducing foreign exploitation, Creating jobs, Boosting industrialization, Strengthening Africa’s largest economy.

This is part of the Qur’ānic principle of self-reliance:﴿هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًا فَامْشُوا فِي مَنَاكِبِهَا﴾

“He made the earth manageable for you, so walk in its pathways…” (Al-Mulk 67:15)

Economic liberation is worship when it uplifts the Ummah.

Foreign Interference and False Narratives

Recently, foreign voices—including political figures from outside Africa—have attempted to portray Nigeria as a land of “religious genocide.” This is FALSE.

Terrorists have attacked: Muslims, Christians, Mosques, Churches, Schools, Communities of all tribes. The bomb of a terrorist does not ask your religion before it explodes.

Qur’ān warns us: ﴿وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ﴾

“Do not follow the footsteps of Shayṭān.” (Al-Baqarah 2:168)

When foreign actors sow disunity, they act in the footsteps of Shayṭān.

Islam Commands Protection of the Nation

The Prophet ﷺ said: «مَنْ قُتِلَ دُونَ مَالِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ»

“Whoever is killed defending his property is a martyr.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Defending: National wealth, economic independence, peace unity is a form of Jihād.

Our Shared Humanity as Nigerians:

We must remember: We share one land, One ancestry, One destiny, One future

Whether Muslim, Christian, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Tiv, Nupe, Fulani e.t.c, We are one Nigeria.

Qur’ānic reminder: ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنْثَى﴾

“O mankind! We created you from male and female…” (Al-Ḥujurāt 49:13)

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: «الْمُؤْمِنُ مِرْآةُ أَخِيهِ»

“A believer is the mirror of his brother.” (Tirmidhi)

Call to Action To Religious Leaders: Promote unity, peace, tolerance, Reject foreign manipulation, Make the pulpit a tool of reconciliation.

To the Government: Strengthen security, Support industrialization, Reject foreign economic domination, Invest in youth and women.

To Citizens: Avoid fake news, Reject hate speech, Protect Nigerian harmony.

To the Diaspora: Defend Nigeria’s reputation globally, Support local investments

أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هٰذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ.

ثَانِي الخُطْبَةِ – SECOND SERMON

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ…

Final Advice:

O Muslims, Nigeria is a trust. The Prophet (pbuh) said:

«كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ»

“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.” (Bukhari)

We are responsible for: Protecting our nation, Preserving our unity, Defending our sovereignty, Promoting peace, Pray for Nigeria.

اللّٰهُمَّ احْفَظْ نَيْجِيرْيَا وَأَهْلَهَا.

اللّٰهُمَّ أَلِّفْ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِنَا.

اللّٰهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ وُلَاةَ أُمُورِنَا.

اللّٰهُمَّ ادْفَعْ عَنَّا الْفِتَنَ وَالْإِرْهَابَ وَالْبَغْيَ وَالْعُدْوَانَ.

اللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْ هٰذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا مُطْمَئِنًّا.

End of Khutbah

إِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ…

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