Northern Ulamas Summit Calls for Unity, Warns Against Social Media Abuse Amid Rising Insecurity

Northern Ulamas Summit Calls for Unity, Warns Against Social Media Abuse Amid Rising Insecurity

Zainab Tanimu 

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria 

In a powerful show of concern, Northern Nigeria’s leading Islamic scholars and federal lawmakers have sounded an alarm over the nation’s deepening insecurity and the “dangerous misuse” of social media, warning that the situation could plunge the country into chaos if unchecked.

The appeal came during a high-level Northern Ulamas Summit held in Kaduna, where the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, along with prominent senators and clerics, urged collective action to regulate online platforms and promote unity among Muslims.

Delivering the Sultan’s message on his behalf, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, stressed that this is the time for Muslims to close ranks and preach peace, harmony, and national cohesion to counter divisive narratives spreading across social media.

Supporting this call, Senator Abdulaziz Yari and House Majority Leader Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa emphasized that insecurity and social media abuse are intertwined challenges requiring leadership and collaboration. Yari noted that insecurity in the North is rooted in the exploitation of its mineral-rich regions and warned against blaming only the government. “Social media affects everyone—rich or poor. It must be regulated to protect society,” he said. Doguwa added that the National Assembly stands ready to back any measure that fosters unity and strengthens Islamic values.

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi offered a broader perspective, asserting that external forces are exploiting insecurity in the region by manipulating uneducated herders and fueling banditry to gain access to mineral resources. He called for dialogue among Islamic sects and urged reforms that balance social media regulation with the protection of free expression.

The summit concluded with a united call for stronger inter-sect cooperation, dialogue, and economic empowerment. Senator Yari highlighted the growing economic divide between the North and South, urging Northerners to embrace productivity and self-reliance rather than dependency.

Ultimately, the gathering underscored the urgent need for unity, responsible leadership, and fair social media laws as essential tools for safeguarding national peace and stability.