By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
The Management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) has intervened to quell mounting tensions on campus by stripping the university’s Shura Council of its exclusive control over the central mosque and revoking a controversial land allocation.
The University stated 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.
Speaking at a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre on Wednesday, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, headed by the Director, Zailani Bappa revealed that all campus Islamic sects are now permitted to use the Yelwa campus Central Mosque for all religious activities beyond the standard five daily prayers.
“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.”
“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.”
“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” he said.
Zalani stated that ATBU management will directly take over the appointment of the Chief Imam and deputy Imams, ensuring all religious activities strictly adhere to the university’s standard rules and regulations.
He added that both the Shura Council and the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) leadership will be reorganized to ensure fair representation of all existing Islamic sects within the institution.
He commended the Bauchi State command of the Department of State Services (DSS) for its timely intervention in managing the security fallout, adding that all relevant stakeholders within the university have signed the new resolution to guarantee lasting peace and stability across the campuses.
