Prof. Isa Yelwa resigns as ATBU Chief Imam over allocation of land to Tijjaniyyah sect
Professor Mansur Isa Yelwa, a Islamic scholar, has opened up about his decision to step down as the Chief Imam of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
Professor Yelwa announced his resignation at the end of his Juma’at sermon on Friday, revealing that his exit was triggered by the university management’s decision to grant approval to the Tijjaniyyah Muslim Students’ Association of Nigeria (TIMSAN) to construct a mosque on campus.
‘A recipe for division’
In a video clip that has since gone viral on social media, the former Chief Imam warned the congregation that allocating land to a specific Islamic sect within the university premises sets a dangerous precedent that could fracture the unity of Muslim students.
“I do not know of any mosque in the entire university that was given such approval. Why would the Tijjaniyyah sect be given this approval? Of course, they have the right because they are Nigerians. However, the Qadiriyyah sect should also be given one,” Yelwa argued.
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“With this development, the Izala group will approach the university with the same request. Thereafter, the Salafiyyah, who claim they belong to no sect, will demand land to build their own mosque. Later, the Shi’a followers will forward the same request to the management.”
The scholar questioned whether the university could maintain peace and continue routine Islamic preaching if every sect began demanding its own space.
17 years of unity undone
Expressing disappointment over a lack of consultation, Professor Yelwa stated that he learned about the approval via social media. He emphasized that his grievance was not with the Tijjaniyyah followers, but with the management’s approach, which he believes undermines 17 years of inter-sect harmony he worked hard to build.
Effective immediately, he has relinquished his position and stated he will only return if the approval is reversed.
“Nobody should call my phone to plead with me, and I will not attend any meeting on this issue,” he said.
ATBU management defends decision
Reacting to the development, the ATBU Director of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, defended the institution’s stance, insisting the approval followed due process and violated no laws.
Speaking in an interview with Albarka Radio Bauchi, Bappa noted that the university cannot prohibit lawful religious activities that do not threaten public peace. He argued that allowing different groups separate places of worship does not mean division.
“JIBWIS (Jos Izala), for instance, have their own mosque where they observe the five daily prayers. That is not division. Our understanding of unity in Islam is peaceful coexistence, even though there may be differences in how individuals observe certain religious practices,” Bappa explained.
How the approval was handled
According to Bappa, the university’s Islamic affairs are managed by the Muslim Ummah through the SHURA Council. He detailed the timeline that led to the land allocation.
| Step | Action Taken |
| 1 | TIMSAN requested SHURA’s approval to conduct Wazifa at the Gubi Campus Mosque, which was declined. |
| 2 | TIMSAN wrote to the university management, prompting a stakeholder meeting involving SHURA and TIMSAN. |
| 3 | SHURA maintained that Wazifa should not be held at the central mosque. TIMSAN then requested a separate piece of land for their activities—not for a new Juma’at mosque. |
| 4 | The university approved the land request. The existing Gubi Campus Mosque remains the only Juma’at mosque. |
Bappa expressed surprise at the Chief Imam’s sudden resignation and the subsequent backlash, maintaining that the SHURA Council was fully carried along and consented to the final decision.
