On April 13 and 14, 2018, adherents of the Tijjaniyya order, a Sunni Islamic sect, who were celebrating Maulud, locked down the Central Area of Abuja and surrounding districts. Many people, especially in Southern Nigeria, expressed surprise as they were unaware that there are different sects in Islam in Nigeria, led by powerful clerics. Many of these same people are however aware of powerful pastors in Christianity. Both religions, dominant in Nigeria, have powerful, and charismatic leaders, who rival one another to win converts. This infograph is meant to introduce some of the sects in Nigerian Islam to people south of the Niger.
Download PDF version of infograph