Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has condemned the adoption of Sharia in Northern Nigeria.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to take legal action against the adoption of Sharia law by 12 northern states, describing it as unconstitutional and detrimental to national unity.

Speaking at the launch of the ACIN 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom in the World, titled “A Plea and Testimony from Nigeria,” Kukah stated that, the implementation of Sharia law in a democratic setting had fueled religious extremism and violence in the country.

“For years, agents of the state have stood by as individuals took the law into their own hands, destroying churches and killing Christians, as well as innocent citizens of both faiths, under the guise of blasphemy laws,” he said. “The dubious decision by 12 northern states to adopt Sharia law in a democracy in 2000 opened the door to Islamist elements who saw it as a sign that Islam was on the ascendancy. Things must change.”

He advised President Tinubu to approach the courts to declare the adoption of Sharia law unconstitutional, saying such a move was necessary to curb the growing trend of mob justice across the country. Kukah cited the killings of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto and Bridget Agbahime in Kano as examples of how the misuse of blasphemy laws continues to claim innocent lives.

“The secular state anticipated by the Constitution must be enforced,” he stressed.

Bishop Kukah also warned against designating Nigeria as a “country of concern” on religious freedom, saying that while the nation faces challenges, constructive engagement rather than condemnation would better serve efforts toward peace and reform.