- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics, Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, as Deputy Secretary-General in charge of National Affairs.
Adedimeji’s appointment was announced following the NSCIA General Assembly in Abuja, where Muslim leaders deliberated on issues concerning the Muslim community and the wider Nigerian society.
His appointment reportedly placed the university administrator, scholar and communication expert in a newly defined leadership role within the apex body coordinating Islamic affairs in Nigeria.
According to reports, the council, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expanded the Deputy Secretary-General structure into specialised portfolios covering international affairs, national affairs, corporate matters and administration.
Adedimeji’s appointment gives the National Affairs portfolio to an academic and institutional leader whose career has crossed university administration, peace and strategic studies, corporate communication, writing and public engagement.
A Professor of Pragmatics and Applied English Linguistics at the University of Ilorin, Adedimeji is currently Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics in Abuja.
He was also the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University with the University of Ilorin also identifying him as a Fulbright scholar and former Director of its Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies and Head of its Corporate Affairs Directorate.
His background in peace and strategic studies is particularly relevant to a national portfolio within the NSCIA, whose responsibilities extend beyond religious administration to issues affecting social cohesion, Muslim welfare and the relationship between the Muslim community and wider Nigerian society.
The Council’s expanded structure assigns Professor Salisu Shehu, who has served as a Deputy Secretary-General, to International Affairs.
Mallam Abeny Mohammed, SAN, will oversee Corporate Matters, while Dr Bala Muhammad will be responsible for Administration.
Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu and Hajia Sekinat Lawal will serve as Public Relations Officer and Deputy Public Relations Officer, respectively.
