Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), is advocating for the establishment of Sharia panels in the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone.

He believes these panels, composed of Islamic scholars, will provide an alternative dispute resolution mechanism for Muslims, specifically addressing marriage and inheritance disputes.

Oloyede emphasizes that Sharia panels have existed in the region for years, citing a 2007 PhD thesis on the subject in Oyo State ². He argues that the absence of Sharia courts leaves Muslims without a proper legal framework for resolving marital issues, unlike Christians who can turn to government-licensed churches and statutory courts.

The proposed Sharia panels have sparked controversy, with traditional institutions, Christian groups, and some state governments opposing the idea. However, Oloyede and the Muslim community insist that these panels will promote lasting peace and harmony in the region.

Source: https://www.channelstv.com/2025/02/10/sharia-panels-in-south-west-good-for-sustainable-peace-oloyede/