The Grand Mufti of the Tijaniyyah in Lagos State, Sheikh Muktar Dende, has urged Muslims across Nigeria to abandon divisive rhetoric on social media and embrace a new era of purposeful leadership, warning that the progress of the faith­ relies on genuine unity and humility.

Speaking at the Tijaniyyah Unity and Hijrah Summit, Sheikh Dende delivered a wide-ranging address that combined a critique of modern online discourse with a vision for educational expansion, culminating in a pledge to donate hectares of land toward establishing a new Tijaniyyah University in Lagos.

Addressing an assembly of prominent Islamic scholars, the Grand Mufti voiced growing concern over the rise of hostile online exchanges within the religious community, urging believers to reject divisive behaviour and work collectively to restore the dignity of the Muslim community.

 

“As the Mufti of Tijaniyyah in Lagos State, I am ready to serve everyone in the course of humanity,” Sheikh Dende told delegates, emphasizing that the bond of brotherhood established under the spiritual guidance of Sheikh Ahmad Tijani and Sheikh Ibrahim Niass should transcend institutional friction.

 

Reflecting on the nature of religious authority, Sheikh Dende offered a stark reassessment of leadership, cautioning against the trap of superficial titles. True leadership, he argued, is not measured by outward symbols such as turbans, robes or formal designations, but by sincerity, spiritual excellence and a devotion to Allah that places duty above self-interest.

 

A genuine Khalifah, he noted, is defined by humility and service. Addressing widespread misconceptions regarding the traditional relationship between a spiritual mentor (Sheikh) and a follower (Murid), he argued that the Sheikh is, in practice, a servant to the community, as authentic authority rests entirely on sacrifice rather than hierarchy.

 

Drawing on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the legacy of Sheikh Ibrahim Niass, the Mufti appealed to the audience not to let minor organizational differences splinter the broader Ummah. “Unity is essential for the growth and development of the faith,” he noted, urging participants to focus on shared responsibilities rather than sectarian divides.

 

The summit concluded with a landmark proposal aimed at cementing the order’s educational legacy in South West Nigeria, the establishment of a dedicated Tijaniyyah University in Lagos State. Sheikh Dende confirmed he would personally donate the land required for the project, setting in motion what organizers hope will become a major center for higher learning and Islamic scholarship in the region.