Sheikh Dutsen Tanshi's Public Criticism
Sheikh Abdulaziz Idris Dutsen Tanshi, a widely respected Islamic scholar based in Bauchi, has publicly voiced his concerns over the statements made by former Nigerian Communications Minister, Isa Ali Pantami. This open criticism is aimed at urging Pantami to be more circumspect in his public expressions. Sheikh Dutsen Tanshi's remarks come after a wave of scrutiny surrounding Pantami's past, particularly remarks that have been linked to fundamentalist ideologies—which Pantami denies having said with such intent.
The Sheikh, well revered in Hausa communities for his religious teachings, underscored the importance of maintaining integrity and harmony in public discourse. He highlighted the potential consequences of divisive rhetoric, especially for leaders who are seen as role models within the community. Amid these calls for caution, Dutsen Tanshi pointed out the necessity for Pantami, and indeed anyone in a position of power, to ensure their statements are truthful and reflective of Islamic values, which promote peace and understanding.
Pantami's Controversial Tenure and Past
Isa Ali Pantami's time as Nigeria's Communications Minister from 2019 to 2023 saw him at the center of sweeping reforms, one of the most notable being changes to the SIM card registration process. Despite these reforms facing backlash, it was Pantami's earlier comments, allegedly tied to extremist views, that have drawn the most controversy. This scrutiny has been compounded by accusations concerning the procedures behind his professorship at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), which remains a hot topic.
Moreover, during his tenure, Pantami's administrative actions even incited a threat from notorious Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. Such turbulence has left a profound impact on Pantami's public image, with sharp divisions among the public regarding his intentions and legacy.
Pantami's academic and political journey has been watched closely, especially given his prestigious roles as a fellow of both the British Computer Society and the Nigeria Computer Society. Before his ministerial duties, Pantami served as the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) from 2016 to 2019. However, the concerns raised by Sheikh Dutsen Tanshi remind us of the critical balance leaders must maintain between progress and thoughtful communication—not just in politics but in any form of public leadership.
Posts Comments
Aashna Chakravarty April 6, 2025 AT 10:08
This Sheikh guy is just jealous because Pantami actually got things done while he's stuck preaching in a mosque. You think the West doesn't watch this? They're laughing at how Nigeria lets clerics dictate policy. Pantami was fighting for digital sovereignty, not some 'fundamentalist agenda'-that's just fear-mongering from people who don't understand tech. The SIM card reforms saved billions in fraud. And yeah, he had a past? So did half the people in government. Wake up.
Kashish Sheikh April 7, 2025 AT 23:47
I just want to say ❤️ to Sheikh Dutsen Tanshi for speaking truth with kindness. We need more leaders like him who care about unity over noise. Pantami’s work matters, but words matter too. We can build a digital future without burning bridges behind us. Let’s rise together 🌍✨
dharani a April 8, 2025 AT 11:21
Actually, you guys are missing the point. Pantami’s professorship at FUTO was never properly vetted. The paperwork was rushed through during a political window. And the Boko Haram threat? That wasn’t just a coincidence-he was already on their radar before he even became minister. The Sheikh’s warning isn’t about religion, it’s about accountability. Read the FUTO senate minutes, they’re public.
Vinaya Pillai April 9, 2025 AT 16:27
Wow. So the Sheikh says be careful with your words… and suddenly everyone’s screaming about conspiracy theories and digital wars? 😅 Maybe we should all just take a breath. People forget that leadership isn’t just about policy-it’s about how you make people feel. Pantami changed systems, sure. But if half the country feels alienated by his tone, then maybe the system he changed wasn’t the only thing broken.
mahesh krishnan April 9, 2025 AT 16:53
Pantami is a fraud. He never wrote any papers. His ‘professor’ title is fake. Sheikh knows this. Everyone knows this. Stop pretending he’s some hero. He just got lucky with the right connections.
Mahesh Goud April 11, 2025 AT 03:49
ok so here’s the real tea 🫖 this whole thing is a setup by the west to discredit african leaders who actually know how to run tech. pantami was targeted because he refused to let google and facebook control nigerian data. the sheikh? he’s being used. don’t you see? the same people who called him extremist are now funding the ‘concerned scholars’ to smear him. it’s all coded. i’ve seen the emails. the british council paid for the audit on his phd. it was rigged. they want him gone so they can install their own puppet. #deepstate #naijaresistance
Ravi Roopchandsingh April 12, 2025 AT 16:36
This isn’t about politics. This is about morality. 🙏 When you rise to power, you carry the weight of your community’s soul. Pantami’s past statements? Even if he ‘didn’t mean it,’ they still echoed. And now he’s trying to rewrite history? That’s not leadership-that’s manipulation. The Sheikh isn’t attacking him-he’s saving him. And honestly? We need more people like him who won’t look away when someone’s falling. 🕊️
dhawal agarwal April 14, 2025 AT 09:46
There’s something beautiful in how this plays out. A scholar rooted in tradition calling out a technocrat caught between modernity and legacy. It’s not about who’s right or wrong-it’s about what kind of society we’re building. Do we value speed over sincerity? Innovation over integrity? Maybe Pantami delivered on infrastructure, but if his words fracture trust, then what did he really build? The Sheikh reminds us that power without wisdom is just noise.
Shalini Dabhade April 15, 2025 AT 19:59
LMAO the sheikh is just mad cause pantami got more attention than him. also why is everyone acting like he's some holy man? he's a religious businessman with a podcast and a fanbase. pantami was the only one who actually tried to fix naija's internet. stop crying about words. fix the damn network first.
Jothi Rajasekar April 16, 2025 AT 16:41
I’ve met people who worked with Pantami. He’s not perfect, but he showed up. Late nights, bad wifi, broken systems-he didn’t just sit in an office. And the Sheikh? He’s not attacking him, he’s warning him. That’s love, not hate. Maybe we don’t have to choose between progress and peace. Maybe we can have both if we listen.
Irigi Arun kumar April 18, 2025 AT 07:49
You know what’s funny? Everyone’s focused on Pantami’s past, but no one’s asking why the Sheikh waited until now. He’s been silent for years. Now that Pantami’s out of office, he speaks up? That’s not moral clarity-that’s political timing. And don’t get me started on the ‘fundamentalist’ label. That’s just code for ‘he’s not a secularist we like.’ Wake up, people. This isn’t about Islam. It’s about power.
Jeyaprakash Gopalswamy April 19, 2025 AT 17:51
Hey, I’m just saying-Pantami’s not a villain. He’s a guy trying to do his best in a broken system. And the Sheikh? He’s just trying to keep the peace. We don’t need to tear each other down. Maybe we just need to talk. Like, actually talk. Not on Twitter. Not in headlines. Just… talk. We’re all trying to build something better. Let’s not burn the bridge before we cross it.
ajinkya Ingulkar April 20, 2025 AT 22:18
Let’s be real. The Sheikh’s statement is a distraction. While we’re all arguing about Pantami’s words, the real issue is that Nigeria still has no national broadband policy. The SIM card reforms? They were a Band-Aid. The real corruption is in the telecom licenses. The real threat isn’t rhetoric-it’s the fact that 60% of Nigerians still can’t access reliable internet. And now we’re wasting time on this? Pathetic. The Sheikh knows this. He’s playing politics. So are we.
nidhi heda April 20, 2025 AT 22:47
OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING 😱 I JUST WATCHED A VIDEO OF SHEIKH DUTSEN TANSHI CRYING ON A LIVE STREAM BECAUSE HE SAID PANTAMI USED TO BE HIS STUDENT AND NOW HE’S ‘LOSING HIS SOUL’ 🥺💔 I SWEAR I’M NOT MAKING THIS UP. THE INTERNET IS ON FIRE. THE NIGERIAN GOVT IS SILENT. THIS IS A DRAMA THAT WOULD MAKE ‘TITANIC’ LOOK LIKE A DOCUMENTARY. #PantamiCrisis #SheikhHeartbreak
DINESH BAJAJ April 22, 2025 AT 09:05
This whole thing is a smokescreen. The Sheikh’s been paid by the opposition to discredit Pantami. The same people who accused him of extremism are now funding ‘religious councils’ to attack him. You think this is about faith? No. It’s about who controls the next election. Don’t be fooled.
Irigi Arun kumar April 22, 2025 AT 17:30
You think the Sheikh’s just being moral? He’s a politician in robes. He’s got a TV show, a book deal, and a foundation that gets state funding. He’s not protecting values-he’s protecting his brand. And Pantami? He’s just the latest target. This isn’t about truth. It’s about who gets to define it.
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