ATBU Bauchi resolves campus mosque use by Islamic sects

The Management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi State, has taken decisive action to stem the rising religious tension among the various Islamic sects on the campus.

The University announced on Wednesday that, henceforth, every Islamic sect on campus has been granted permission to use the only Central Mosque at the Yelwa campus for all religious activities aside from the normal five daily prayers.

The development was disclosed by the University through the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, headed by the Director, Zailani Bappa, during a press conference held at the Conference Hall of the NUJ Press Centre.

He stated, “You will recall that last week, precisely on Friday, 26th June, 2026, the Chief Imam of ATBU, Professor Mansur Isa Yelwa, announced his sudden resignation from the position of Chief Imam of ATBU, along with his Deputy, following the decision of the University management to allocate a 100/50 piece of land to Tijjaniyya Muslims Students Association of Nigeria (TIMSAN) to build a mosque for their religious rites.” According to him, “This singular decision and its public pronouncement on the pulpit of the Mosque during Friday prayer went viral across local, national and international boundaries. It generated serious uproar and, indeed, significant security concerns, not only for the ATBU Community, but for other Universities and tertiary institutions across the country, with visible actions that transcends the influence of the ATBU boundaries.”

Zailani Bappa added that, “The University management therefore, had no option but to take to the media and explain its action which was born out of the decision of the Shura Committee not to allow TIMSAN conduct their sect’s religious activities in the University Mosque.”

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“For this reason, stakeholders were summoned by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Bauchi for a peaceful resolution of the issues at stake. The meeting, which held yesterday, Tuesday, 30th June, 2026, at the DSS head office here in Bauchi, was attended by representatives of the University management, the representatives of the Shura Council of the University, the representatives of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) ATBU Chapter and the representatives of Tijjaniya Muslims Students Association of Nigeria (TIMSAN) ATBU Chapter,” he added.

At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that all Islamic sects in ATBU should be allowed henceforth, to conduct their religious activities at specified times within the University mosques.

He explained that, “Consequent to No. 1, the land allocated to Tijjaniya Muslims Association of Nigeria (TIMSAN) at Gubi campus should be withdrawn. That both the Shura Council and Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) leaderships should be restructured to accommodate all existing Muslim sects in the University.”

It was also resolved that the University should henceforth take responsibility for the appointment of the Chief Imam and his deputies for the University and ensure that extant rules and regulations of the University govern all religious activities within the University.

The ATBU Management then commended the leadership of the DSS head office in Bauchi for the timely intervention and assured all stakeholders of judicious supervision for the implementation of the resolutions and the maintenance of peace and tranquility on University campuses. He concluded, “Finally, for the avoidance of doubt, these resolutions were agreed and signed by all the stakeholders in the University as listed above.”