The proposal to introduce Sharia panels in South-West Nigeria has sparked division among experts. While some support it for cultural and legal reasons, others express concerns over its potential impact on social harmony.
While some argue that the creation of Sharia panels, consisting of Islamic scholars to settle issues like marriage and inheritance disputes, will promote lasting peace in the South-West, others view them as divisive and a potential source of religious tension in the region. This division was discussed on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program aired on Channels Television.
The proposal to establish Sharia panels in states such as Ogun and Oyo has stirred controversy, with traditional institutions and the Christian community expressing opposition. State governments in both Ogun and Oyo have also rejected the idea. Despite this, the Muslim community and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, continue to advocate for the panels as an alternative dispute resolution method for Muslims.
On the program, lawyer Adam Oloriaje, a former Secretary-General of the Muslim Lawyers Association, argued that Sharia arbitration panels would not threaten the peaceful coexistence of the South-West. He dismissed claims that the panels were linked to jihad, stressing that Muslims were not forced to use them. Oloriaje pointed out that Sharia arbitration panels had been functioning in Lagos for 22 years, successfully resolving disputes among Muslims without issue. He cited Section 38 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which allows citizens to practice their religion freely, urging people not to fear or misunderstand the role of the panels.
In contrast, security and governance expert David Okoror expressed concern that introducing Sharia panels would sow suspicion in the South-West, a region historically known for its religious harmony. He argued that the South-West’s peaceful coexistence between Muslims, Christians, and others had endured for centuries, and that the introduction of Sharia panels could disrupt this unity.
US-based social commentator Fola Ojo shared similar concerns, questioning why discussions about religion were still prominent in Nigeria in 2025 when the world was progressing in other areas like education and healthcare. He highlighted constitutional concerns, pointing out that only state assemblies and the National Assembly have the authority to establish courts. Ojo emphasized that the South-West’s longstanding peace, which includes harmonious Muslim-Christian relations in many families, could be jeopardized by the introduction of Sharia panels.
This ongoing debate continues to raise questions about the balance between religious freedom, regional harmony, and the potential for division within Nigeria’s diverse society.
