‘Retrain Scholars To End Religious, Communal Conflicts’
A renewed call has been made for the retraining of Islamic scholars in Nigeria and West Africa to equip them with modern skills in mediation and conflict resolution. The call came during the 18th inaugural lecture of Kwara State University held in Malete. The lecture, titled ;;The Role of Contemporary Nigerian Islamic Scholars in West […]
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A renewed call has been made for the retraining of Islamic scholars in Nigeria and West Africa to equip them with modern skills in mediation and conflict resolution.
The call came during the 18th inaugural lecture of Kwara State University held in Malete.
The lecture, titled ;;The Role of Contemporary Nigerian Islamic Scholars in West Africa, was delivered by Professor Sulaiman Sheu Adua of the Department of Islamic History.
He said scholars must go beyond traditional preaching to become agents of peacebuilding in their communities.
According to him, the rising tide of sectarian and communal clashes in the region demands a shift in how religious leaders engage with their followers.
He stressed that proper training in conflict management would enhance their capacity to intervene in crises and reduce tensions.
Professor Adua also called on governments and non-governmental organisations to invest in youth development programmes.
He said such efforts would give scholars the tools to mentor young people and prevent radicalisation.
The professor noted that Islamic scholars continue to play key roles in social welfare, community outreach, and interfaith dialogue.
He also praised the resilience of Nigerian Islamic scholars in the diaspora whose contributions to host communities reflect deep commitment to faith and service.
He concluded by urging stronger collaboration between religious leaders, policy makers, and civil society actors across West Africa.
This, he said, will promote lasting peace and address common challenges facing the region.