The Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics in Abuja and Professor of Pragmatics and Applied English Linguistics at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Mahfouz Adebola Adedimeji, has been appointed to head the National Affairs of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ( NSCIA).
Adedimeji’s appointment was announced following the NSCIA General Assembly in Abuja, where Muslim leaders deliberated on issues concerning the Muslim community and the wider Nigerian society.
He was also the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University in Kwara State. The University of Ilorin identifies him as a Fulbright scholar and former Director of its Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies and Head of its Corporate Affairs Directorate.
His background in peace and strategic studies is particularly relevant to a national portfolio within the NSCIA, whose responsibilities extend beyond religious administration to issues affecting social cohesion, Muslim welfare and the relationship between the Muslim community and wider Nigerian society.
Adedimeji’s appointment gives the National Affairs portfolio to an academic and institutional leader whose career has crossed university administration, peace and strategic studies, corporate communication, writing and public engagement.
His recent public interventions have frequently addressed education, character, economic empowerment and social responsibility. In 2025, for example, he urged young Nigerians to confront poverty through proactive economic participation and stronger work ethics.
Meanwhile, the Council, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expanded the Deputy Secretary-General structure into specialised portfolios covering international affairs, national affairs, corporate matters and administration.
The Council’s expanded structure assigns Professor Salisu Shehu, who has served as a Deputy Secretary-General, to International Affairs. Mallam Abeny Mohammed, SAN, will oversee Corporate Matters, while Dr Bala Muhammad will be responsible for Administration. Professor Ahmed Jibrin Gwandu and Hajia Sekinat Lawal will serve as Public Relations Officer and Deputy Public Relations Officer respectively.
A Professor of Pragmatics and Applied English Linguistics at the University of Ilorin, Adedimeji is currently Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics in Abuja. He was also the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University in Kwara State. The University of Ilorin identifies him as a Fulbright scholar and former Director of its Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies and Head of its Corporate Affairs Directorate.
