President Buhari, Shekau, Dangote named most influential muslims in the world

President Buhari, Shekau, Dangote named most influential muslims in the world

President Muhammadu Buhari has once again been named among the top 50 most influential Muslim leaders on the planet.

This is the second straight year President Buhari will be making the exclusive list of Muslim 500, a yearly report of the most powerful Muslims.

Buhari came in 17th, a three-step jump from his 20th position in 2015 after he won the presidential election on his third attempt, Punch reports.

The president is in, well, curious company as controversial leader of dreaded Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, also made the power list.

Other Nigerians in the top 50 list are the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III, and fiery Borno State-Islamic cleric, Sheik Ibrahim Saleh, who retain their previous rankings of 22nd and 38th respectively.

Business mogul and Nigeria’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Prince Bola Ajibola, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and Abdurahman Olanrewaju Ahmad also made the cut.

According to Muslim 500, Buhari and his compatriots were listed among the world’s 50 most powerful Muslim leaders because of their influence on “cultural, ideological, financial and political” activities.

It noted that there were 1.7 billion Muslims all over the world, making up approximately 23 per cent of the world’s population.