The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has raised alarm over the growing influence of social media, describing it as a threat to national security and unity.
Speaking through the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, the Sultan warned that the misuse of online platforms is fueling hatred, misinformation, and division across the country.
He gave the warning on Wednesday at a high-level summit of Northern Ulamas held in Kaduna, where Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, and lawmakers gathered to discuss the rising insecurity and moral decay in the region.
According to the Sultan, Nigeria’s fragile unity is being tested by irresponsible online behavior. He called for the regulation of social media to prevent it from becoming a tool for disunity and chaos.
“This is the time to unite the Muslim Ummah. Our clerics must preach peace, tolerance, and national unity in line with Islamic teachings. Social media must also be regulated because it is increasingly being used to spread division and hatred,” he said.
The Sultan, who also serves as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, urged clerics to show leadership through wisdom and restraint. He warned that reckless preaching and false information were deepening mistrust among citizens.
“If we fail to speak with one voice,” he added, “we risk handing over our future to chaos and confusion.”
Also speaking at the summit, the Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, emphasized that security and national stability require joint efforts between government and religious leaders.
“Security is everyone’s business. We in the National Assembly will support any initiative that unites our people and upholds Islamic values. Our leaders must rise above partisan and sectarian divides to build lasting peace,” Doguwa said.
He assured that the legislature would continue to partner with faith-based institutions to promote moral discipline and civic responsibility, especially among the youth.
Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, representing Zamfara West, also weighed in, noting that insecurity first took root in Muslim communities before spreading nationwide. He urged Northern leaders to look inward for solutions rather than blaming external forces.
“Insecurity started in Muslim-dominated areas. We can’t blame the government alone. The solution lies in our hands — in unity, action, and honest dialogue,” he said.
Yari also warned against laziness and misplaced priorities among the youth, stressing that hard work and self-reliance are key to reviving the region’s economy.
“We’re sleeping in our rooms and expecting to become billionaires. It doesn’t work that way,” he said, while also calling for responsible use of social media. “Social media doesn’t spare anyone — rich or poor. It’s time to regulate it and use it responsibly, just as other nations do.”
Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, attributed much of the region’s insecurity to poverty, ignorance, and external manipulation. He alleged that foreign interests were exploiting uneducated herders to destabilize Northern Nigeria.
“Banditry is being fueled by outsiders. They covet our mineral wealth and use our uneducated youth as pawns. We must talk among ourselves and find an internal solution to these challenges,” Gumi stated.
He called for unity among different Islamic sects, saying that internal dialogue and understanding are vital to curbing extremism and promoting peace.
“Dialogue within the Ummah is key. If we can solve our differences internally, outsiders will have no room to divide or exploit us,” he added.
Similarly, it could be recalled that in April this year, the Sultan had also warned against hate speech and the abuse of social media.
The religious leader stressed that freedom of expression should not be used as a weapon to threaten national peace and religious harmony.