The escalating insecurity situation in Nigeria has been attributed to the failure of governance. This is the submission of the Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan Muslim Community, Professor, Ibrahim Olatunde Uthman.
He made the submission on Saturday, 21st February, 2026, while delivering the 14th Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Forestry Muslim Community in Ibadan.
The theme of this year’s lecture ‘Security Challenges And Media Bias: The Impact On Muslim Identity’, the lecturer pointedly said “exposes our shortcomings as Muslim community.”
The University Don, decried the disturbing state of poverty and lack of education especially in the northern part of the country as contributing to the increasing number of members of Boko Haram who are engaged in various terrorist activities.
Prof. Uthman posited that members of the Boko Haram and other terrorist groups do not really know God but, unfortunately, continue to give Islam a bad name.
He also said that Boko Haram members have seen terrorism as a money making industry hence, more uneducated idle hands are being recruited.
The former Head of Islamic and Religious Studies in the University of Ibadan, faulted the ‘Christians Genocide’ narratives, insisting that Muslims are the major victims of terrorism in Nigeria.
His words, “Today, it is sad that the Boko Haram members are people who don’t really know God because it has become a money making industry.
“Unfortunately, the major victims of terrorism in Nigeria are Muslims and they kill them in large numbers in the mosque while praying.”
The UI Chief Imam insists that the Nigerian governments, the United States government and other Western leaders know the sponsors of Boko Haram.
According to him, “terrorists are being supported by the world powers, they even supply them with everything they need.”
On the alleged media bias in the reportage of insecurity in Nigeria, Prof. Uthman said, “for me, our problem is not the media. As Muslims, if we are not ready to take our destiny into our hands, then we would continue to lament.”
The guest lecturer therefore submitted that as Muslim community across the country, we must tackle the major reasons for our backwardness – poverty and education.
According to him, Muslims in positions of authority are expected to make life easy for the common man by promoting the Zakat Institution to ease poverty in our society.
The Don noted that Ramadan period does not only revolve around abstinence from food, drink and sex with our lawful partners, but should serve as a period to reconnect to our religious obligations.
He said to achieve that, education of our children must be prioritized, adding that if they are educated and enlightened, they would not be attracted to terrorism.
“We need to give our children a sound education, no sacrifice is too much. We should get rid of poverty in the Muslim community. We have failed in that area, and we need to be intentional about eradicating poverty,” Prof. Uthman advised.
In his brief intervention, the Publisher of Prompt News Online, Abdul-Akeem Oyetunji, enjoined wealthy Muslims across the country to invest in the media industry.
He noted that Christians own over 80% of media organizations in Nigeria across the broadcast media, traditional newspapers and online media which is seen as the future of journalism.
Oyetunji, posited that the talk about changing the negative narratives about Islam would continue to remain mere talks if the Muslim community is not intentional about encouraging our children who studied Mass Communication to practice, rather than chasing money in other industries, saying “everything is not about money”.
The chairman of Forestry Muslim Community, Dr. Sallahudeen Taofeek Gbenga, in his welcome remarks, said the community has only been in existence for 14 years even though the Institute is over 70 years old.
He however expressed delight that for the first time in the history of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Jericho, Ibadan, the College now has a Muslim Provost.
According to him, the annual Ramadan Lecture is instituted as an avenue to educate and re-orientate the Muslim community on their obligations to Islam.
Prominent people in attendance at the lecture include: Alhaji Luqman Akinyemi Alimi, Asiwaju Adini, Ologuneru Muslim Community & Enviros, who chaired the event and Alhaja Fadilat Akinwande, Iya Adini, Ologuneru Muslim Community & Environs.
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