Five things to know about Sheikh Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, new Shari’ah council president

Sheikh Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar has recently been appointed as the President of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), following the passing of Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah.

Renowned for his deep Islamic scholarship and leadership in Islamic finance, Dr. Bashir has played influential roles in religious, academic, and financial sectors across Nigeria and beyond.

As he takes on this significant new responsibility, here are five important things to know about him:

1. Academic background

Dr. Bashir began his academic journey with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He later advanced his religious studies at the Islamic University of Madina, Saudi Arabia, earning B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in Hadith and Islamic Studies, with a specialization in the sciences of Hadith.

2. Professional expertise in Islamic finance

He has been a key figure in promoting Islamic finance in Nigeria. He chaired the Shari’ah Advisory Committee of Stanbic IBTC Bank and was a leading voice in establishing Ja’iz Bank.

His lectures on Islamic banking have reached audiences nationwide.

3. Leadership in Shari’ah affairs

As Permanent Commissioner at the Kano State Shari’ah Commission, Dr. Bashir advised the state government on religious legal matters and supervised Shari’ah implementation, showcasing his administrative and jurisprudential capabilities.

4. Involvement with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

On secondment from Bayero University, Kano, Dr. Bashir serves as Special Adviser to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Noninterest Banking.

He also represents Nigeria on the Technical Committee of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and chairs its working group on Takaful risk management.

5. Published scholar and author

His doctoral thesis, Methodology of Imam Ahmad Regarding the Inconspicuous Weaknesses of Hadith Narrations, has been published in Riyadh.

He has written and presented numerous papers at both national and international platforms on Islamic finance and Hadith methodology.