Olakunle Mohammed
On March 24, a Twitter user with the handle @RealOlaudah shared a post listing the top positions in Nigeria’s government and head of agencies, departments and parastatals. He claimed that there all the 29 posts listed in his Twitter thread were all occupied by Muslims.
As of the time of filing this report, the first post in the thread has garnered 638,000 views with 3,279 retweets, 261 quotes, 6,827 likes and 261 bookmarks.
The fact-checker extracted the claims contained in the Twitter thread and went on to verify its authenticity.
VERIFICATION
IS NIGERIA’S PRESIDENT A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Buhari is a Muslim, according to his profile on Wikipedia.
VERDICT: The claim that President Buhari is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS NIGERIA’S SENATE PRESIDENT (SP) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that current President of Nigerian Senate, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Lawan is a practicing Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current President of the Nigerian Senate is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS NIGERIA’S SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (HOR) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that current speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Gbajabiamila is a practicing Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current Speaker of the House of Representatives is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA (CJN) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that current CJN, Justice Olukayode Tajudeen Ariwoola is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Justice Ariwoola is a practicing Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current CJN is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Adamu is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current chairman of APC is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE PRESIDENT’S CHIEF OF STAFF (COS) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current COS, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Gambari is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current COS is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION (SGF) OF NIGERIA A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current SGF, Mr. Boss Gidahyelda Mustapha is a Muslim. However, checks by the researcher revealed that Mustapha is a born-again Christian.
VERDICT: The claim that the current SGF is a Muslim is FALSE.
IS THE DIRECTOR GENERAL (DG) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES (DSS) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current DG of DSS, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Bichi is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current DG of the DSS is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE COMPTROLLER-GENERAL (CG) OF THE NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE (NCS) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current CG of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Ali is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current CG of Customs is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE COMPTROLLER-GENERAL (CG) OF THE NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE (NIS) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current CG of Customs, Alhaji Isah Jere Idris is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Idris is a practicing Muslim. This is succinctly depicted in his use of the title, Alhaji, a common moniker for a Muslim who has been to Mecca as a pilgrim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current CG of Immigration is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (IGP) OF NIGERIA A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current IGP, Usman Alkali Baba is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Alkali Baba is a practicing Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current IGP is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF (COAS) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current COAS, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Yahaya is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current COAS is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF (CNS) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current CNS, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Gambo is a devoted Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current CNS is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE CHIEF OF AIR STAFF (CAS) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current CAS, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Amao is a Christian.
VERDICT: The claim that the current CAS is a Muslim is FALSE.
IS THE GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR (GMD)OF THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC) LIMITED A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current GMD of NNPC Ltd., Mele Kolo Kyari is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Kyari is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current GMD of NNPC Ltd. is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE COMMANDANT-GENERAL (CG) OF NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS (NSCDC) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current CG of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Audi is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current CG of the NSCDC is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Bawa is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current chairman of the EFCC is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR (MD) OF THE NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY (NPA) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current MD of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Bello-Koko is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current MD of NPA is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE CORP MARSHAL OF THE FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS (FRSC) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current corp marshal of FRSC, Dauda Ali Biu is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Biu is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current corp marshal of the FRSC is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE DIRECTOR GENERAL (DG) OF THE NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current DG of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Jamoh is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current DG of NIMASA is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE DIRECTOR GENERAL (DG) OF THE NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY (NTA) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current DG of NTA, Mr. Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Dembos is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current DG of NTA is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE DIRECTOR GENERAL (DG) OF THE FEDERAL RADIO CORPORATION OF NIGERIA (FRCN) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current DG of FRCN, Dr. Mansur Liman is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Liman is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current DG of FRCN is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE DIRECTOR GENERAL (DG) OF THE NATIONAL PENSION COMMISSION (PENCOM) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current DG of PenCom, Hajiya Aisha Dahir-Umar is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Dahir-Umar is a Muslim.
It is worthy to note that the PenCom has a DG not a Managing Director as claimed by the Twitter user.
VERDICT: The claim that the current DG of PenCom is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (FCDA) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current DG of FCDA is a Muslim. However, the FCDA has an Executive Secretary.
The current Executive Secretary of the FCDA is Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad. Checks by the researcher revealed that Ahmad is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current executive secretary of FCDA is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Yakubu is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current chairman of INEC is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERAL INLAND REVENUE SERVICE (FIRS) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current chairman of FIRS, Mr. Muhammad Mamman Nami is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Nami is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current chairman of FIRS is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL (DG) OF THE RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (RMRDC) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current DG of RMRDC, Mr. Ibrahim Hussaini Doko is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Doko is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current DG of RMRDC is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL (DG) OF THE STANDARD ORGANISATION OF NIGERIA (SON) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current DG of SON, Mr. Farouk A. Salim is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Salim is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current DG of SON is a Muslim is TRUE.
IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR (MD) OF THE PIPELINES AND PRODUCTS MARKETING COMPANY LIMITED (PPMC) A MUSLIM?
The post claimed that the current MD of PPMC, Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi is a Muslim. Checks by the researcher revealed that Salim is a Muslim.
VERDICT: The claim that the current MD of PPMC is a Muslim is TRUE.
DOES NIGERIA HAVE 50 PERCENT CHRISTIAN POPULATION?
The twitter user claimed in the thread that Nigeria has a fifty percent christian population. The tweet reads in part: “In a country with 50% Christian population?”
However, checks by the researcher revealed that the Pew Research Centre pegged the percentage of Christians in Nigeria at 48.1 percent, as of 2015. While the distribution of religions in Nigeria 2018 data by Statista found that Christian religion makes up a total of 45.9 percent.
VERDICT: The claim that Nigeria has a 50 percent christian population is MISLEADING as the current percentage is between 46-48 percent.
VERDICT
The claims contained in the Twitter thread are MOSTLY TRUE except for the claims on the religious affiliation of the SGF and CAS which are FALSE and the percentage of the Christian population which is MISLEADING.
