By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Global Caliph of the Tijaniyya Order, Sheikh Sidi Ali Belarabi Tidjani, has met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, calling for stronger spiritual, cultural and fraternal relations between Nigeria and Algeria.
Sheikh Tidjani, who is leading a high-level delegation from the General Caliphate in Aïn Madhi, Algeria, met with President Tinubu on Friday, August 7, 2026, during his ongoing visit to Nigeria.
The visit, which began on Thursday, August 6, was undertaken at the invitation of Nigerian leaders of the Tijaniyya Order and is aimed at strengthening ties between the Mother Zawiya in Aïn Madhi and Tijaniyya communities and Zawiyas across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
During the meeting, the Tijaniyya leader highlighted the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Algeria, noting the potential for both countries to further deepen their cooperation.
He also offered prayers for peace, stability, love and continued spiritual ties between the two countries, as well as for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of President Tinubu.
Tijaniyya leader begins nationwide engagements
The delegation, representing the Tijaniyya Supreme Council worldwide, is expected to participate in a series of religious, cultural and spiritual activities during the visit.
The programme includes visits to Tijaniyya Zawiyas in Abuja, Kano, Bauchi and other parts of Nigeria, where Islamic sciences, jurisprudence and the foundational teachings of the order are studied and taught.
A major highlight of the visit will be Sheikh Tidjani’s participation in activities marking the birth anniversary of Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Tidjani, founder of the Tijaniyya Order, with this year’s celebrations scheduled to take place in Kano.
The Tijaniyya leader is also expected to meet government officials, Islamic scholars, religious leaders and community figures as part of the programme.
Tijaniyya’s influence in West Africa
The engagement comes amid the significant influence of the Tijaniyya Order across West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Niger, Senegal and Mali, as well as parts of North Africa and the Middle East.
The Tijaniyya Order is one of the prominent Sufi brotherhoods in the Muslim world. It was founded by Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Tidjani (1737–1815) in the late 18th century.
Its spiritual roots are traced to Aïn Madhi in Algeria, which hosts the Mother Zawiya and the headquarters of the General Caliphate.
The order has a particularly strong presence in West Africa, where its network of Zawiyas and Islamic scholars has contributed significantly to religious education, scholarship and spiritual life.
Sheikh Sidi Ali Belarabi Tidjani serves as the General Caliph of the Tijaniyya Order, placing him at the highest level of spiritual leadership within the brotherhood and giving him responsibility for promoting unity among its branches worldwide.
His visit to Nigeria is expected to further strengthen the longstanding religious, cultural and fraternal connections linking Nigeria, Algeria and the wider Tijaniyya community across Africa.
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