Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir has said none of the funds publicly pledged to him by politicians has entered his personal account, amid controversy over donations linked to a proposed JIBWIS university in Plateau State.
Jingir, National Chairman of the Ulama’u Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), made the claim in a video circulating on social media on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
Jingir Denies Receiving Pledged Funds
“All the money pledged to me by politicians; not a single kobo has entered my account,” Jingir said.
His comment comes amid public discussion over hundreds of millions of naira pledged toward the construction of Fortune University, a proposed JIBWIS educational institution in Jos.
Jingir has previously maintained that the university is an organisational project and not his personal property.
Politicians Pledge ₦600 Million
At a JIBWIS national symposium in Jos around August 24, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Affairs, announced a personal pledge of ₦300 million toward the university project.
Masari also announced another ₦300 million pledge from Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, bringing the publicly announced pledges to ₦600 million. He reportedly requested the account details needed to facilitate the transfers.
Yobe State officials later clarified that Buni’s pledge was made personally and was not drawn from state government funds.
Donations Draw Public Questions
The size of the pledges attracted criticism from some residents, activists and opposition figures, particularly amid concerns over education, healthcare and other development needs.
The timing also drew attention because of Jingir’s outspoken support for the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and his advocacy for continued political support for the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 election.
Jingir has previously said politicians who made commitments to the university should fulfil their pledges.
Jingir’s Political Advocacy
The cleric has been a prominent supporter of the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 presidential election.
His political comments have previously generated controversy, including remarks at a mass wedding event in Kano that critics described as divisive. Jingir later clarified that he does not hate Christians and called for fairness and justice for people of all faiths.
The latest statement appears aimed at distancing Jingir personally from claims that he has received or benefited from the large sums announced by political figures.
As of the latest reports, there is no independent public confirmation that the pledged funds have been transferred to JIBWIS or its university project accounts. The politicians who announced the pledges have also not publicly confirmed that the transfers have been completed.
