Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin Prof Ishaq Oloyede has called on the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to promote solidarity and address collective interest of Muslims in the country.

Oloyede alleged that the council was drifting towards becoming another section of Muslim organisation rather than focus on integrating various groups in the religion.

The scholar spoke at the 90th anniversary of the Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, held at the weekend in Abuja. He lectured on "An appraisal of a century of Islamic societies in Nigeria."

Oloyede said: "The NSCIA, headed by Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, ought to be the leading Islamic body in the country but unfortunately, it has not lived up to that.

"It is a platform created by Muslims in Nigeria for interacting with others and catering for interest of others. It is made up of all segments of Muslims but the council almost became another segment of Muslims."

Oloyede, who is also the NSCIA's Secretary General, said the body ought to cater for the collected interest of Muslims in the country.

He cited how President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, promptly reacts to national issues as they affect the Christian community.

Oloyede, who noted that he was speaking outside his office, stated that he should be quoted only as an Islamic scholar.

"If anything happens to Christians, CAN will take it up but the Muslims, I will not say we are on our own," he added.

He called for the integration of all Muslim organisations, adding that Islamic missionaries should avoid sectionalising but work towards the growth of Islam.

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, said it may be difficult for the council to oversee activities of all Muslims in the country.

She said: "The association does not know it all. You can always give a recommendation. Even though you have a high council, that does not mean it has all the knowledge it can use to serve for benefit of the people.

"They are humans and people are difficult to lead or control. When you are doing well, some people might say you are not doing enough. So what I think is we should run an inclusive government so that more people will appreciate what they are doing."