Malami Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, has died, drawing tributes from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Prof. Isa Ali Pantami.

Baba-Ahmed, an Islamic scholar and administrator, died in the early hours of Tuesday. His funeral prayer is scheduled at the National Mosque in Abuja immediately after the Zuhr prayers on Tuesday.

Religious and political figures paid tribute after news of his death emerged, describing him as an advocate of justice and unity who spent decades in the service of Islam and humanity.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, Gumi said Baba-Ahmed would be remembered for his efforts to promote unity. “Mal. Nafiyu Baba Ahmad has left us in grief,” Gumi wrote. “Nafiyu will be remembered as a bridge-builder who always saw the bigger picture.”

Gumi extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, relatives, the Muslim Ummah and the nation.

The PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, described Baba-Ahmed’s death as a painful loss. In a condolence message posted on his Facebook page, the former minister said the late scholar had dedicated the last 26 years of his life to the service of Islam and humanity, and had advocated justice for all during his years of service.

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“With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will of Allah, we mourn the passing of Mallam Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, Esq., who served as the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN),” he wrote.

Tinubu, in a message conveyed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, expressed sadness over Baba-Ahmed’s passing, describing him as an impactful leader who steered the affairs of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria with wisdom, foresight and a deep commitment to unity, justice and peaceful coexistence.

The President recalled his long-term association with the late Baba-Ahmed, particularly in the build-up to the 2011 election and in subsequent years, including the deceased’s counsel and support during his 2023 presidential campaign.

According to Tinubu, Baba-Ahmed played a pivotal role in sustaining the Council’s voice on national issues, fostering greater understanding and promoting the values of moral renewal and social justice.

Tinubu condoled with the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, its members, the Baba-Ahmed family, the Government and people of Kaduna State and the Nigerian Muslim Ummah over the loss. He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings, admits him to Jannatul Firdaus and grants his family and the Muslim Ummah the fortitude to bear the loss.