THE Federal Government’s recent unveiling of the FGN Sukuk VII issuance—NGN 300 billion to be deployed towards rehabilitating and constructing vital road infrastructure across Nigeria—is a laudable milestone.
As a Shariah-compliant financial instrument, the Sukuk has consistently proven to be a viable and ethical means of mobilizing funds for national development. It is an opportunity for all Nigerians, regardless of faith, to invest in the future of the country.
Yet, this development exposes a longstanding contradiction that must be addressed if Nigeria is to enjoy true unity. For years, initiatives rooted in Islamic principles—no matter how beneficial or inclusive—have been met with suspicion and, at times, outright hostility from certain groups, particularly elements within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and others who cloak intolerance in the garb of activism.
While these critics often raise objections under the guise of secularism or national interest, they are among the first to embrace the benefits of such initiatives once the dividends become visible.
Roads constructed through Sukuk financing are driven on daily. Bridges funded by Islamic financial principles are crossed without hesitation. Yet, the moment a policy bears Islamic origin, it is scrutinized, politicized, and sometimes vilified.
A recent example underscores this trend: the decision by some Muslim-majority states in Northern Nigeria to adjust school schedules during the month of Ramadan.
This gesture—aimed purely at accommodating fasting students and supporting their families—was an internal, state-level adjustment not imposed nationwide. Nonetheless, it was met with outsized criticism, dominated by voices within CAN and amplified by conventional and social media.
What should have been a simple administrative issue became a national debate, once again pushing religious fault lines to the brink. The outrage over such a benign measure bordered on hysteria, threatening the fragile peace we strive to maintain in our diverse society.
This pattern of selective outrage is dangerous and disingenuous. It denies Muslims the right to benefit from faith-aligned policies while offering others the liberty to pick and choose what suits them from the same framework. This is not only unjust but unsustainable in a multi-religious nation like ours.
The Sukuk is not a religious imposition—it is a financial instrument rooted in fairness, transparency, and inclusivity. It offers investment opportunities for all, irrespective of faith, and delivers public goods that benefit the entire country. If anything, it demonstrates the potential of religiously-informed policies to serve national interests.
Nigeria’s path to unity and development lies in mutual respect, not suspicion. No group should be vilified.
- Ladan writes from Abuja.
