Aliyu Bappa Misau, a PDP member representing Bauchi in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, recently introduced a bill proposing an expansion of Islamic law’s application beyond personal matters to include civil and commercial issues.
The bill aims to broaden the scope of Islamic law to cover areas like contract disputes, corporate affairs, and international dealings, which Misau argues reflects Nigeria’s evolving legal landscape.
“The 1999 Constitution addresses personal Islamic law but doesn’t consider developments like Islamic Company Law, Islamic International Law, or Islamic Public Law,” Misau explained. “Back in 2003, Jaiz Bank emerged under commercial Islamic law, followed by Taj Bank in 2019. These developments warrant a constitutional update.”
Currently, Islamic law in Nigeria applies to personal matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Misau’s bill seeks to amend sections 24, 262, 277, and 288 of the constitution to remove “personal” and allow for an expanded application of Islamic legal principles.
Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution defines it as a secular state, with near-equal representation between Christian and Muslim populations. Critics argue that adopting this bill could disrupt the secular balance, particularly as 12 states have already implemented Sharia law. The bill sparked significant debate during Thursday’s House plenary session and has faced heavy backlash across social media, with many Nigerians concerned about the potential implications for the nation’s secular identity.
