Nafiu Baba-Ahmed D!es: Tinubu, Gumi, Pantami Pay Emotional Tributes To Sharia Leader

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, have mourned the death of Malam Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria.

Baba-Ahmed, an Islamic scholar, legal practitioner and administrator, died in the early hours of Tuesday, October 6, 2026. His funeral prayer is scheduled to take place at the National Mosque in Abuja immediately after the Zuhr prayers on Tuesday.

According to Bush Radio Academy, tributes have continued to pour in following his death, with religious and political figures describing him as a dedicated servant of Islam who advocated justice, unity and peaceful coexistence.

Gumi, who confirmed the death in a post on his verified Facebook page, described the late Baba-Ahmed as a bridge-builder who consistently looked beyond immediate divisions and worked towards national unity.

“Mal. Nafiyu Baba Ahmad has left us in grief,” Gumi wrote, adding that the deceased would be remembered as “a bridge-builder who always saw the bigger picture.”

The Islamic scholar extended his condolences to Baba-Ahmed’s family, relatives, the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians over the loss.

Pantami also expressed grief over the death, describing it as a painful loss to the Muslim community and the country.

The former minister said Baba-Ahmed dedicated the last 26 years of his life to the service of Islam and humanity while advocating justice for all.

“With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will of Allah, we mourn the passing of Mallam Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, Esq., who served as the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria,” Pantami stated.

He prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus.

President Tinubu, in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Baba-Ahmed as an impactful leader who guided the affairs of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah with wisdom, foresight and a strong commitment to unity, justice and peaceful coexistence.

Tinubu also recalled his longstanding relationship with the late religious leader, particularly during the build-up to the 2011 election and subsequent years, including Baba-Ahmed’s counsel and support during his 2023 presidential campaign.

The President noted that Baba-Ahmed played an important role in sustaining the council’s voice on national issues, promoting greater understanding and advancing values of moral renewal and social justice.

Tinubu expressed condolences to the leadership and members of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, the Baba-Ahmed family, the Kaduna State Government and people, as well as the wider Nigerian Muslim community.

He prayed that Almighty Allah forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, admit him into Jannatul Firdaus and grant his family and the Muslim Ummah the strength to bear the loss.

The death of Baba-Ahmed has continued to attract condolences from across religious and public circles as tributes are paid to his years of service and advocacy.