Sultan Abubakar III Urges Politicians to Avoid Corruption

On September 23, 2026, during the opening ceremony of a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council in Abuja, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, cautioned politicians and public office holders against sponsoring pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem with stolen public funds. He stated that God does not accept corrupt offerings, urging religious leaders to collaborate with anti-corruption agencies to combat systemic corruption.

The Sultan emphasized that corrupt individuals, regardless of their affiliations, should face legal consequences and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to operate without political interference. He also stressed the need for genuine understanding among religious leaders to foster national unity and stability.

Additionally, he paid tribute to the outgoing Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, for his contributions over eight years. Prof. Adedibu Ojerinde presented the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Manuals Project, a strategic initiative aimed at addressing Nigeria's moral crisis.