NEWS
Islamism and Jihadi Terrorism in Northern Nigeria
By Majeed Dahiru
For a region that has been plagued by terror groups, ranging from the Mai Taisine riotous sect in the 1980s to Boko Haram insurgents in the 2000s, the emergence of a new Islamist group in the Muslim north of Nigeria has become one too many.
Given the name “Lakurawa” by the locals, this new terror group that has been identified by Nigeria’s security forces is operating out of Kebbi and Sokoto states in North-West Nigeria, along the border with the Republic of Niger.
Said to be made up of foreign elements from the Sahel, the Lakurawa first appeared in northern Nigeria sometime in 2017 as a reformatory religious group, comprising skilled herdsmen who were armed.
And with their relatively high armament capabilities, they helped protect herder communities from the criminal activities of cattle rustlers under a transactional arrangement.Described as a “faith based group” by the government of the affected states, the Lakurawa group, in addition to helping herder communities combat cattle rustling, also engaged in proselytising the people into their own version of Islam, just as they began to exercise quasi-judicial functions in line with the Sharia.
Like the Boko Haram, whose real appellation is Jama’at Ahl-as Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad (Congregation of the People of Prophetic Tradition for Proselytisation and Armed Struggle), the Lakurawa seeks to establish a puritan Islamic state in Nigeria to be ruled by its own version of Islamic law.
While Nigeria is still battling to extinguish the fires of Boko Haram insurgency in its North-Eastern corner, the emergence of Lakurawa in the North-West, which is said to be heavily armed and in control of some villages as well as communities in Sokoto and Kebbi states, is a clear indication that the Muslim north of Nigeria is a fertile ground for the planting, germinating and nourishing of the seeds of radical Islamist ideology that eventually blossoms into Jihadi groups like Mai Taisine, Boko Haram, Ansaru and Lakurawa.
And the main element of this fertility is the dominance of Islamism in the mainstream Islamic theological framework in the Muslim north of Nigeria. In fact Islamism, which is “a broad set of political and religious ideologies that dictates Islam should guide and influence the political and legal system of the state in opposition to secularism,” is mainstreamed in the Muslim north to the extent that political Islam is being surreptitiously deployed to undermine Nigeria’s secular constitutional democratic order.
The continuous and pervasive proselytisation of Islamism in the Muslim North within a larger Nigeria, which is a multi-religious and cultural country, is a form of self-immolation that is now threatening to incinerate the entire country.
Self-immolation because the epicentre of Jihadi insurgency in Nigeria has been Borno, the oldest place of Islam Nigeria, and now Lakurawa has just emerged from Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate. And the collective incineration is in the fact that the Nigerian state will continue to be responsible for the containment of Islamist insurgency through its security forces.
But before the rest of non-Muslim Nigeria grows weary of this collective incineration arising from the religious self-immolation of the Muslim North, it has become imperative to rethink Islamism, with the intention to reverse all of its influences through the deliberate reform of the mainstream Islamic theological framework that currently guides the Muslim faithful in Northern Nigeria.
To uproot the seeds of the radical Islamist ideology and render its soils infertile for the nourishing, germinating and blooming of violent Jihadism will require the reversal of Islamism and the secularisation of the Muslim North, going forward.
To this end, all instruments of political Islam, along with the imposition of religious laws (Sharia) and enforcement agencies (Hisbah) must be dismantled forthwith. There is an ideological convergence between purveyors of political Islam and Jihadi groups like Boko Haram and Lukarawa, as they all share the aspiration of the creation of an Islamic state in a religiously plural Nigeria. And, it is the failure of political Islam to achieve this utopia of an Islamic state that resulted in the use of arms to achieve the same goal.
Any region wherein people are mobbed to death for blasphemy, bottles of alcoholic beverages are destroyed and people of other faith treated as third class citizens, will always be plagued by Boko Haram and Lakurawa. The latter group, Lakurawa, for instance, was able to gain acceptance in parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states since 2017 because it is a faith based group with the same aspiration for a Sharia ruled Islamic state.
Secularism is not a substitute for religion, neither is it anti-religion. It simply means the separation of the state and religion in a multi-religious Nigeria. Fortunately, Nigeria’s secular constitution allows its Muslim citizens the uninhibited practice of their “Sharia faith” without hindrance.
What the constitution does not allow is the imposition of the laws and value system of one religion upon others within the federation of Nigeria. While the constitution does not impose the consumption of alcohol, pork and the committing of adultery as mandatory obligations of citizens, without exemption, Muslims should simply abstain from consuming these “haram items” without seeking to force others to do the same, especially those whose own religious or value systems do not prevent them from indulging in these items. And as long as the constitution guarantees Muslims the observance of Sharia faith, as it currently does, the advocacy for the adoption of Sharia law is as unnecessary as it is negatively disruptive.
The conflict between religion and citizenship in the Muslim North arising from pervasive Islamism is a major enabler of the incubation of Islamist jihadi terror groups. And the mainstream Islamic authorities have a responsibility to resolve this conflict by effectively separating religion from the state in the Islamic theological framework that guides the Muslim community in a region, as the most Islamic states are not the Muslim-dominated countries that are ruled by Sharia but plural, secular and democratic countries, where the principles of justice, equity and fairness reigns supreme, without prejudice to race, ethnicity and creed.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with São Tomé and Príncipe, with focus on maritime security, the Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Zone (JDZ), trade and investment.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr.
Bello Muhammad Matawalle, disclosed this while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Inauguration of President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova for a second five-year term.Speaking on behalf of Mr.President, Matawalle commended the people of São Tomé and Príncipe for conducting a peaceful, credible and transparent election.
“Your victory reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Nigeria commends the Government, the National Electoral Commission, Political Parties, and the people of São Tomé and Príncipe for strengthening democratic institutions in your country,” he said.
President Tinubu added: “Nigeria values the longstanding friendship between our two countries. I therefore look forward to deepening cooperation in maritime security, the Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe JDZ, trade and investment, and other areas of mutual interest.”
The event, which was held at the country’s Parliament Building, was attended by several African and European leaders and other dignitaries. In addition to Minister Bello Matawalle, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other leaders who graced the swearing-in ceremony included the President of the Republic of Congo, President Denis Sassou Nguesso, the President of the Gabonese Republic, Brice Oligui Nguema, the Prime Minister of Mozambique, Mrs. Maria Benvinda Levy, the representative of the Angolan Head of State and Angola’s Foreign Minister, Téte António, and the Prime Minister of Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch, among other dignitaries.
Dr. Matawalle said Nigeria remains committed to peace, security and development in the Gulf of Guinea region. He expressed Nigeria’s readiness to re-establish and strengthen closer ties with São Tomé and Príncipe for mutual benefit.
“His Excellency President Tinubu’s participation through representation reflects the historic ties of friendship, fraternity, solidarity and cooperation that continue to define relations between Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe,” the Minister said
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has officially launched the Insurance Sector Strengthening Programme (ISSP), a new national initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s insurance industry into a more inclusive, innovative, and trusted driver of economic growth.
Declaring the programme open in Abuja, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr.
Ayo Omosehin, described the launch as a defining moment when reform must move “from intention to action.”Omosehin said the ISSP was designed in response to the sector’s persistent challenges, including low insurance penetration, limited public understanding of insurance products, and gaps in trust, capacity, and distribution.
“Despite Nigeria’s large and growing economy, insurance penetration remains significantly below its potential. Many citizens remain uninsured or underinsured,” he stated.
He added that opportunities among women, youth, and small businesses were “not yet fully harnessed,” noting that these gaps should be seen as a call for “innovative solutions, stronger industry coordination, and deeper stakeholder engagement.”
The Commissioner explained that the ISSP was built around six critical pillars: Advocacy and Policy, Awareness and Education, Capacity Building, Gender Inclusion, Youth Engagement, and MSME and Value Chain Development.
He said awareness and education would be central, because “insurance uptake is directly linked to public understanding and trust.”
Through targeted campaigns, the programme seeks to strengthen insurance culture and improve financial literacy nationwide.
On capacity, Omosehin stressed that the industry’s competitiveness depends on human capital, and that training initiatives under ISSP will strengthen technical expertise across the value chain.
He also highlighted the focus on gender and youth, noting that “women are a significant economic force, while young people represent the future of our nation and our industry.”
The programme also targets Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, which he said drive employment but often operate without adequate risk protection.
Omosehin said the ISSP aligns with the Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Agenda (NIIRA 2025) and key priorities such as deepening penetration, enhancing professionalism, and strengthening consumer protection.
While NAICOM will create an enabling environment for innovation, he warned that this would not come “at the expense of consumer protection, solvency, transparency, or public trust.”
“The next phase of insurance growth in Nigeria must be anchored on responsible underwriting, adequate capitalization, robust governance, transparent operations, prompt claims settlement, and measurable value to policyholders,” he said.
The Commissioner further noted that digital transformation and insurtech solutions would be integrated into the ISSP to make insurance products more convenient and personalized for Nigerians.
He called the future of insurance a “shared responsibility,” urging regulators, operators, professional bodies, development partners, educational institutions, and the media to play their roles.
“Through sustained commitment and strategic partnerships, we can transform insurance from an underutilized financial service into a powerful instrument for economic resilience, social protection, and national development,” Omosehin said.
He commended the promoters and partners of ISSP and assured stakeholders of NAICOM’s continued support in protecting policyholders and ensuring market stability.
The launch, he said, “marks the beginning of a new chapter for insurance in Nigeria, one defined by innovation, inclusion, collaboration, professionalism, trust, and regulatory discipline.”
The event drew industry operators, intermediaries, technology providers, and development partners
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has convened a pre-summit dialogue ahead of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32), focusing on one of the critical challenges facing Nigeria’s young population: translating education and skills acquisition into meaningful economic opportunities.
The virtual dialogue, themed “The Missing Link: From Learning to Earning,” brought together stakeholders from the education, technology, philanthropy, entrepreneurship and youth development sectors to examine the gaps between learning, skills development and access to productive employment, while exploring practical pathways for connecting human capital development to economic opportunities.
In her remarks, Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer, Sterling One Foundation, noted that the engagement was designed to lay the groundwork for a focused and implementable agenda that moves Nigeria from diagnosis to delivery. She appreciated the panelists, discussants and participants for their contributions and encouraged stakeholders to register for NES#32 and join the broader conversation on building an economy that delivers jobs, productivity and shared prosperity.
In her special remarks, Mrs Obianuju Anigbogu, Director, Education Planning, Research and Development, Federal Ministry of Education, underscored the importance of strengthening education planning, research and development as foundations for building a productive and future-ready workforce. She stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure that education policies and interventions translate into meaningful outcomes for learners and the wider economy.
Delivering the keynote remarks, Mr Abubakar Sulaiman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, emphasised that the capabilities required to drive productivity and economic growth must begin to be developed from the school system. He called for a shift from a pipeline focused primarily on certificates to an ecosystem that builds capability, productivity and opportunity, with transferable skills that enable graduates to contribute effectively across industries regardless of their fields of study.
Mr Sulaiman noted that a graduate of History, English or Physics, for instance, should leave the education system with a meaningful component of the skills required to function effectively in the workplace. He emphasised that building an adaptable workforce capable of responding to changing industry demands would be critical to strengthening the connection between education, employment and economic productivity.
During the panel discussion, Lawal Mohammed Faruk, Director, Research, Innovation and Information Technology, National Universities Commission (NUC), represented by Dr Ezinne Orisakwe, Assistant Director, Research, Planning and Administration, NUC, highlighted the need for effective systems to track graduates and out-of-school young people. She noted that reliable data on the transition from education to employment would help government and other stakeholders better understand the challenges facing young people and design more responsive interventions.
Dr Orisakwe also called for stronger policy coordination and urgent capital investment to address the growing pool of graduates and skilled manpower seeking employment. She stressed that closer alignment among government agencies and coordination units would help create the synergy required to translate skills and qualifications into productive economic opportunities.
Also contributing to the discussion, Oyindamola Egbeyemi, Director, Programmes and Coordination, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), emphasised the importance of ensuring that skills development programmes respond directly to labour-market demand. She noted that programme design and implementation should be guided by clear economic outcomes, with interventions going beyond training and certification to create measurable pathways to employment, enterprise development, productivity and improved livelihoods.
Other panellists, including Femi Taiwo, Managing Partner, FATE Africa, and Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation, shared perspectives on the structural and practical barriers preventing many young Nigerians from converting education and acquired skills into sustainable livelihoods. The discussion highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry, alongside greater opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and workforce development.
The dialogue underscored that bridging the gap from learning to earning requires more than expanding access to education. It requires an education and skills ecosystem that equips young Nigerians with relevant, adaptable and marketable capabilities, while creating clear pathways into employment, entrepreneurship and productive economic participation.
The pre-summit engagement forms part of the broader consultations leading to NES#32 and contributes to the Summit’s focus on building an economy that creates opportunities, improves productivity and delivers shared prosperity. It also reinforces the need to place young Nigerians and the development of human capital at the centre of conversations on Nigeria’s future of work and economic growth.
The 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32) will be held under the theme “Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity” on 26–27 October 2026 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The Summit will bring together policymakers, private-sector leaders, development partners and other stakeholders to advance practical actions towards an economy that creates jobs, raises productivity and delivers shared prosperity.
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