The Supreme Council for Shari'ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has expressed concern over the empowerment initiatives of Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The group alleged that her programs, under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), appear to favour Christian communities while leaving out Muslim-majority areas.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmed, SCSN said that hope cannot be renewed when it seems selective. The Council urged the First Lady to treat all Nigerians equally regardless of their faith, adding that her office, although not constitutional, carries moral weight that should unite citizens.

The group pointed to several past interventions, such as ₦500 million distributed to Christian-dominated communities in Plateau, as well as rice donations and financial support given through Christian organizations in Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, and other states. It said such actions raise questions of fairness in a multi-religious nation.

By contrast, Muslim communities in states like Niger, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kwara — many of whom faced floods, banditry, and displacement — received little or no visible support. The Council noted that even the recent aid to Mokwa flood victims came late and was far below the scale of the disaster.

SCSN further reminded the First Lady that Muslims strongly supported the Tinubu/Shettima Muslim-Muslim ticket despite opposition, and therefore deserve equal recognition in humanitarian outreach. It warned that selective empowerment risks deepening divisions among Nigerians.

The Council concluded by stressing that Muslims are not seeking special treatment, but fairness, justice, and inclusivity. It called on Senator Tinubu to use her influence to unite Nigerians across religious and ethnic divides.

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