About Us · Shariah Governance

Advisory Council of Experts

Independent scholarship, ethical oversight and practical guidance supporting Maal’s commitment to responsible, transparent and Shariah-compliant financial services.

Islamic Scholar

Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid

Islamic Cleric, Preacher and Humanitarian Advocate

A respected Nigerian Islamic scholar with decades of experience in mosque leadership, Qur’anic education, public preaching, peacebuilding and advocacy for justice.

Da’wah Islamic Studies Peacebuilding
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Born on 1 October 1960 in Jos, Plateau State, Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid received his earliest Arabic and Qur’anic education from his father. He later studied at the School for Higher Islamic Studies in Jos and earned a B.A. (Hons) in Islamic Studies from the University of Jos.

His career has included service as Head Teacher of a Qur’anic nursery and primary school, Chief Imam at Congo Junction Jumu’at Mosque in Jos, Chief Imam of Khalid Ibn Walid Mosque in Karu, Abuja, and Chief Imam of the Apo Legislative Quarters/National Assembly Central Mosque in Abuja from 2007 to 2022.

Selected service

  • Member, FCT Hajj Training and Preaching Committee, 2012–2022.
  • Chief Preacher for Hajj activities in 2015.
  • Founding Chairman, Islamic Research and Da’awah Foundation.
  • Board member, Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace.
Islamic Finance

Prof. Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad

Professor of Islamic Economics and Finance

An academic and practitioner specialising in Islamic economics, microfinance, zakat, waqf, poverty reduction and professional capacity development.

Islamic Economics Zakat & Waqf Microfinance
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Prof. Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad was born in 1978 and raised in Kano. He is the first Professor of Islamic Economics and Finance at Bayero University Kano and serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) at the International Open University, The Gambia, where he also acts as Head of the Department of Islamic Banking, Economics and Finance.

He holds a B.Sc. in Economics from Bayero University Kano, and master’s and doctoral degrees in Economics from the International Islamic University Malaysia. His research and professional work span Islamic microfinance, zakat and waqf administration, sustainable finance, entrepreneurship and poverty reduction.

Selected distinctions

  • Recognised among the World Zakat Forum’s 30 most influential people on zakat in 2020.
  • Certified Zakat and Waqf Administrator, 2025–2028.
  • Former member, AAOIFI Working Group on Sustainable Financing, 2021–2023.
  • Visiting scholar at the Islamic Development Bank Institute and visiting researcher at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Shariah Law

Umar Abubakar, Esq.

Legal Practitioner, Shariah Law Scholar and Academic Lecturer

A Nigerian legal practitioner and lecturer with experience in Shariah law, litigation, arbitration, Islamic legal research, judicial training and humanitarian development.

Shariah Law Litigation Arbitration
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Umar Abubakar is a locally and internationally trained legal professional. He holds a Barrister at Law qualification from the Nigerian Law School, an LL.M. and Postgraduate Diploma in Shariah Law from Imamul-Hadi College, Sudan, and an LL.B. from the International University of Africa, Khartoum. He also holds qualifications in Arabic language and Islamic Studies.

He serves as a Lecturer II at Mewar International University, Nigeria, and as an Associate at Elan Solicitors, where his work includes litigation strategy, legal research, regulatory compliance, preparation of court processes and legal advisory services.

Selected professional roles

  • Executive Director, Centre for Islamic Research, Training and Development.
  • Chartered Arbitrator, Sudanese Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration.
  • Consultant to the Forum of Grand Kadis of Nigeria on training and capacity building.
  • Facilitator and consultant to the National Judicial Institute on Islamic-law training for judges and kadis.
  • Governing Board Member and Katsina State Coordinator, Al-Majid Centre for Development.

Council Mandate

The Advisory Council of Experts supports the Bank by reviewing products, processes and practices against applicable Shariah principles and the institution’s ethical commitments.

Product ReviewAssessing structures, documentation and customer journeys for Shariah compliance.
Ongoing GuidanceProviding scholarly direction as products, regulations and customer needs evolve.
Ethical AssurancePromoting fairness, transparency, responsible conduct and public benefit.
Capacity BuildingSupporting staff understanding of non-interest finance and Shariah governance.