The first methodological seminar organized in the framework of the research programme ‘Dynamics of Islam in Nigeria’ took place in Zaria on October 3–4.

Eight selected researchers met at IFRA’s premises in the Post-Graduate School of Ahmadu Bello University to present their research projects and discuss their respective topics.

The seminar was led by Dr. Elodie Apard-Malah, Deputy Director of IFRA, and Prof. Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos, a lecturer at Sciences Po Paris and researcher at IRD (Research Institute for Development). Over two days, they provided methodological tools, advice for fieldwork, and ethical requirements during the research work. They also gave the participants guidelines on the development of proposals meeting international standards.

All participants will resubmit revised proposals. Authors of successful proposals will receive a fieldwork grant.

Oluwafemi Alexander Ladapo, Jimoh Oluwasegun, Abdulrahman Banisaid Hamid, Abubacar Ibrahim Zaria, Idriss Ahmed Jamo, Dr. Jawondo, Ibrahim AbdulGaniyu, Salisu Bala, Hadi Buhari Shuayau, Elodie Apard-Malah et Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos.

Researchers involved and proposal topics before revision:

 Oluwafemi Alexander Ladapo (Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan):
Principles, Practices and Prevalence of Islamic Arbitration (Tahkim) in Nigeria’s Economic Sphere.
 Jimoh Oluwasegun (History Department, University of Ibadan):
‘Marrying Well’: The Role of NASFAT in Match-Making among Muslims Youths in Lagos State.
 Abdulrahman Banisaid Hamid (Centre for Trans-Saharan Studies, University of Maïduguri):
Unemployment, Islamic Radicalism and Escalation of Crisis in Northern Nigeria: The Emergence of Boko-Haram.
 Abubacar Ibrahim Zaria (Department of History, Ahmadu Bello University):
Dynamics of Islam in Nigeria: The Origin and Spread of the Shi’a Islamic Sect.
 Idriss Ahmed Jamo (Department of Public Administration, Ahmadu Bello University):
Democracy and Religion in the North-Western Nigeria.
 Dr. Jawondo Ibrahim AbdulGaniyu (Department of History and International Studies, University of Ilorin):
The Dynamics of Women Islamic Scholarship in Ilorin Emirate, 1960–2000.
 Salisu Bala (Arewa House, Kaduna): The Challenge of Islam:
Izala and the Misconception of Bidá in Northern Nigeria.
 Hadi Buhari Shuayau (Department of Political Science, Ahmadu Bello University):
The Dynamics of Islam and the Rise of Fundamentalism in Nigeria: An Assessment