The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said Islamic leaders will engage political leaders and urge them to take action to ease the hardship facing Nigerians.
He said religious leaders understood the concerns of citizens and would continue to call on those in power to improve people’s living conditions.
The Sultan spoke on Sunday at the grand finale of the centenary celebration of Az-Zumratul Adabiyyatul Kamaliyyah School of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Ilorin, Kwara State. The institution was founded by the late Sheikh Muhammad Kamaldeen Al-Adabiyy, the first Mufti of Ilorin.
“As leaders of Islam, we are always aware of all the issues people are raising in the public domain. We will do our best and bring attention to the leaders on what they should do for the common man on the street,” he said.
His remarks came amid growing concerns over the rising cost of living, including high food prices, transport fares and fuel costs.
Days earlier, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan, called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to reduce food and transportation costs.
In a communiqué issued after its General Assembly in Abuja on October 8, the council urged the government to accelerate measures to ease the burden on ordinary Nigerians.
The Federal Government has said it is introducing measures to mitigate the effects of rising fuel prices on households and businesses without reinstating the petrol subsidy removed in 2023.
Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele announced a 30-day petrol price relief arrangement at NNPC Retail stations. The government said the temporary discount would be funded through NNPC Retail’s margin rather than public funds.
Speaking at the anniversary celebration, the Sultan expressed confidence that Nigeria could overcome its challenges.
“We know the problems in this country, and we know that there is no problem without a solution,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to pray for divine intervention and ask God to guide President Bola Tinubu, state governors, local government chairmen and other political leaders in making decisions that would improve citizens’ lives.