The Nigerian House of Representatives has voted down a bill proposing amendments to the 1999 Constitution that would expand the application of Islamic law. Sponsored by Aliyu Missau, the bill sought to remove the term “personal” from references to Islamic law in sections 24, 262, 277, and 288, which would allow the Sharia Court of Appeal to cover matters beyond personal issues.
Missau argued that removing the limitation to “personal” matters would allow Islamic law to include commercial and international aspects, such as those seen in institutions like Jaiz Bank, which operates under Islamic commercial law. Proponents of the bill, primarily from northern regions, contended that the change would support the growth of Islamic commercial practices in Nigeria.
Opponents, however, argued that the amendment could disrupt the secular nature of the Nigerian state. Solomon Bob from Rivers highlighted that the “personal” limitation was purposefully included to avoid broadening Islamic law’s scope. Bamidele Salam from Osun added that the amendment risked deepening religious divisions, recalling debates from earlier constitutional assemblies in 1979 and 1999, where military intervention limited Islamic law’s scope to personal matters.
After a heated debate marked by regional divides, the bill was ultimately rejected by a voice vote led by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu.