* Etsu Nupe, Matawalle, others hail Sa’ad Abubakar’s peacebuilding, unity drive
By Rasheed Abubakar
The 70th anniversary of the birth of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has drawn tributes from across Nigeria, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Muslim and Christian organisations, political leaders, traditional rulers and senior government officials commending his leadership, statesmanship and commitment to peace and national unity.
The Sultan attained the milestone on Monday, August 24, 2026, nearly two decades after ascending the throne of the Sokoto Caliphate and assuming the leadership of Nigeria’s Muslim community as President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
For millions of Nigerian Muslims, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar remains a foremost religious and traditional authority, widely regarded as the Amirul Mumineen, while his influence has extended beyond the Muslim community through his engagement on interfaith relations, national security, humanitarian affairs and peaceful coexistence.
The tributes came from President Tinubu, the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA), Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and Minister of State for Defence Mohammed Matawalle, among others.
Tinubu hails Sultan as stabilising voice
President Tinubu, in a statement personally signed by him to mark the milestone, described the Sultan as a “stabilising voice” in periods of national turbulence, a bridge builder across faiths and communities and a moral compass not only for the Muslim Ummah but for the entire nation.
Tinubu said the Sultan’s 70 years were a testament to “a life lived in service, wisdom, and grace”, adding that for nearly two decades on the throne of his forebears, he had embodied the finest traditions of the Sokoto Caliphate through scholarship, humility and an unwavering commitment to peace.
The President commended the Sultan’s advocacy for education, interfaith dialogue and humanitarian service, as well as his support for peaceful coexistence, the girl child and the dignity of every Nigerian.
“Your palace in Sokoto has become a sanctuary for dialogue, and your words carry weight in every corner of this country,” Tinubu said.
He described the Sultan as a leader who speaks truth with compassion, counsels patience without weakness and champions unity without compromising conviction.
Tinubu also acknowledged his partnership with the Sultan in nation building, particularly his contributions through security support, community development and attention to the spiritual wellbeing of Nigerians.
Sultan has consistently championed religious harmony — MUSWEN
The Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria congratulated the Sultan and described him as a respected traditional and religious leader whose wisdom and statesmanship had contributed to the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the stability of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, and Executive Secretary, Professor Wole Abbas, MUSWEN said the Sultan had consistently championed religious harmony, interfaith understanding and national unity.
The organisation particularly acknowledged his efforts to promote unity among Muslims and strengthen cooperation among Islamic organisations and leaders across the country.
It said his interventions on matters of national importance had demonstrated courage, maturity and a deep commitment to the peace and progress of Nigeria.
Northern Christians describe him as bridge builder
The Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA) described the Sultan as an “indispensable bridge-builder” and a voice for peace whose leadership had helped unite Nigeria’s diverse religious, ethnic and cultural communities.
In a congratulatory statement, NOCRELA Secretary General, Simon Dolly-KIF, said the Sultan’s seven decades represented a remarkable milestone characterised by wisdom, unwavering service and commitment to national stability.
The Christian leaders described him as a unifying father figure and custodian of values capable of bringing people together across religious and cultural divides.
NOCRELA also commended his continued advocacy for unity, tolerance and dialogue as means of promoting peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
Atiku prays for robust health, wisdom
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also joined the tributes, praying for more years of good health, strength and wisdom for the Sultan.
In a message shared on his X handle on behalf of his family, Atiku prayed that Almighty Allah would continue to bless the monarch with “robust health, enduring strength and greater wisdom” in his service to the Muslim faithful and the nation.
Etsu Nupe praises Sultan’s statesmanship
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, described the milestone as an opportunity to thank Almighty Allah for His mercy, protection, guidance and blessings upon the Sultan throughout his life.
The retired Army General commended the Sultan’s exemplary leadership, wisdom, humility and commitment to Nigeria’s development.
According to him, the Sultan had distinguished himself as a respected traditional and religious leader whose contribution to national unity and peaceful coexistence remained invaluable.
He said the Sultan’s wise counsel, statesmanship and fatherly interventions had promoted religious tolerance and mutual understanding among Nigerians regardless of their religious, ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
Abubakar also commended his leadership of the NSCIA, saying it had strengthened the role of traditional and religious leaders in addressing challenges confronting the country.
He noted that the Sultan’s advocacy for dialogue, justice and peaceful conflict resolution had made his voice one that commands respect across religious and cultural divides.
Matawalle links Sultan’s counsel to security efforts
The Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Matawalle, said the Sultan’s peacebuilding efforts and counsel had continued to support the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
In a tribute in Sokoto, Matawalle described the Sultan’s 70 years as “seven decades of wisdom, humility, and service to humanity”.
He said the monarch had remained a father to all and a custodian of Nigeria’s moral and spiritual values.
According to the minister, the Sultan’s reign had been characterised by efforts to strengthen bonds of faith, promote interfaith harmony and give voice to vulnerable members of society amid Nigeria’s complex challenges.
He also cited the Sultan’s interventions in national security, education and humanitarian affairs, saying his commitment to justice and peaceful coexistence had inspired leaders and communities beyond Nigeria.
Matawalle urged Nigerians to emulate the Sultan’s virtues of tolerance, humility and service in pursuit of peace and national cohesion.
A leader of millions and a bridge across faiths
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar’s roles extend across Nigeria’s religious and traditional landscape. As President General of the NSCIA, he occupies a central position in the leadership of Nigeria’s Muslim community and remains the spiritual and traditional leader of millions of Nigerian Muslims.
He is also President General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), as well as Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN).
These responsibilities place him at the intersection of religious leadership, traditional authority and national dialogue, giving him a prominent role in engagements involving Muslims, Christians, traditional rulers and the Federal Government.
From the Sokoto palace to the Nigerian Army
Born on August 24, 1956, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III comes from the distinguished lineage of the Sokoto Caliphate and is a descendant of Sheikh Usman dan Fodio, the Islamic scholar and reformer whose movement gave birth to the caliphate.
His father, Sir Siddiq Abubakar III, was the 17th Sultan of Sokoto and occupied the throne from 1938 until his death in 1988.
The young Sa’ad received both Islamic and Western education, attending Barewa College, Zaria, before proceeding to the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna. He subsequently joined the Nigerian Army and rose to the rank of Brigadier General, making military service a defining part of his early public life.
Following the death of his elder brother, Sultan Muhammadu Maccido, he succeeded him and was crowned the 20th Sultan of Sokoto on November 2, 2006.
Since his accession, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar has led the Sokoto Caliphate through nearly two decades of national challenges, consistently using his traditional and religious authority in promoting peaceful coexistence, dialogue, unity and understanding among Nigerians
As President General of the NSCIA, his leadership has also placed him at the centre of efforts to foster unity among Muslims and coordinate responses to issues affecting the wider Muslim community. His responsibilities include the coordination of important aspects of Islamic religious life, including the moon-sighting process used in determining the commencement and conclusion of Ramadan and the dates of Eid celebrations, among others.
The various tributes underscored the breadth of the Sultan’s influence across religious, traditional and national spheres. All the personalities and organisations that felicitated him prayed for his continued good health, wisdom, strength and long life, asking Allah to protect and guide him and sustain his service to Islam, humanity, the traditional institution and Nigeria.
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