SCSN Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmad Dies at 70
The lawyer, Islamic activist and public intellectual died in the early hours of Tuesday, with his Janazah held at the National Mosque, Abuja, after Zuhr prayers.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Malam Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, has died at the age of 70.
Baba-Ahmad died in the early hours of Tuesday, October 6, 2026. His Janazah was held at the National Mosque, Abuja, after Zuhr prayers on Tuesday.
Among those who attended the Janazah were Professor Isa Ali Pantami; Senator Yunus Akintunde; SCSN Vice-President, Sheikh Akindele; Sheikh Fatah Thanni; former National President of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde; Alhaji Lakin Akintola; Sheikh Sirajudeen Batuta; Professor Abideen Olaiya; Alhaji Salman Adedipe; Sheikh Dawud Igiogun; Alhaji Gani Saheed and Imam Afini, among others.
The SCSN announced his death in a statement by its President, Sheikh Professor Bashir Aliyu Umar, describing it as a great loss to the Council, the Muslim Ummah and the nation.
Born on June 11, 1956, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Baba-Ahmad had a background spanning Islamic advocacy, law, banking and public affairs.
He studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, after receiving Qur’anic and Islamic education.
His professional career included senior positions in the banking and financial sectors, including service at Nigeria Merchant Bank and First Interstate Merchant Bank. He later served as Director/Legal Adviser and Board Secretary at the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
Baba-Ahmad also served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s pioneer non-interest bank. His membership of the bank’s board is documented in its annual reports.
He was a Member of the National Institute (mni) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
For years, Baba-Ahmad was a prominent voice of the SCSN on issues concerning Shari’ah, religious freedom, constitutional rights, justice, governance and national security.
In his capacity as Secretary-General, he signed numerous Council statements and represented its positions on major national questions. As recently as July and August 2026, he signed SCSN statements addressing the proposed creation of state police and the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Former National President of NACOMYO, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, who attended the Janazah, paid tribute to Baba-Ahmad, describing him as fearless, steadfast and unapologetically principled in advancing the cause of Islam.
Akintunde said Baba-Ahmad would be remembered for his contribution to nation-building and his advocacy for the enthronement of Shari’ah and the emergence of an Islam-loving and caring government in Nigeria.
He prayed that Almighty Allah grant the late SCSN Secretary-General peaceful repose and reward his service to Islam and humanity.
The SCSN said his death was an “irreparable loss” and prayed that Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, reward his years of service to Islam and humanity, and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
The Council also prayed for strength and patience for his family and the wider Muslim Ummah.
Baba-Ahmad’s death brings to an end a long career that combined legal and financial-sector experience with sustained public engagement on Islamic affairs and national issues.
May Almighty Allah grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus and give his family and the Ummah the strength to bear the loss.
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