The Executive Council of the Lagos Central Mosque, Jumu’atul Muslimeen Council has appealed to the Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and well meaning lagosians to team up for the restoration and revamp of the ageless glory of the iconic Shitta Bey Mosque.
In two separate letters of appeal to the governor, the deputy governor and another addressed to the Shitta Bey family, the Jumu’atul Muslimeen Council bemoaned the unfortunate fire outbreak which destroyed the mosque along with Great Nigerian House and some other buildings along the Nnamdi Azikwe Street on Wednesday, 24 December, 2025.
While urging the state government to spearhead the move to rebuild the burnt Shitta Bey Mosque, owing to its historic connection and the influence of Chief Muhammad Shitta-Bey (hitherto named William Shitta) who built it, to the social development of Lagos, the council gave a clear trajectory of his towering attainments in the advancement of Islam.
Describing the sad event as a loss of a monument of historical value, the council pleaded with Governor Sanwo-Olu to help restore the Mosque, so has to preserve the charitable memories of Chief Shitta Bey who gave his all to Islamic development in Lagos State.
The letter highlighted the importance of the mosque to Lagos and Nigeria in time past before it was razed by the fire incident.
“This is indeed a monumental loss of historical significance to the people of Lagos State and all Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
“This famous Mosque is still popular and still remains the main Ratibi mosque where thousands of Muslim traders, along with millions of their Muslim customers and visitors alike who daily throng the Central Business District in Lagos Island, perform obligatory prayers “Salat”, everyday of the week.
“We earnestly believe that the noble objective for restoration of the Shitta Bey Mosque (Moshalashi Shitta-Bey) to even greater glory will be quickly, effectively and efficiently achieved if Your Excellency, along with your dynamic and dedicated administration can spearhead the efforts.
“It is pertinent here to remind you of the facts you are well acquainted of as a fellow Lagos Islander of the rich historical background of this Mosque and the significance to Islamic development in Lagos State.
“This is to underscore why Your Excellency should lead in the redevelopment of the Mosque.”
The council also reiterated the fact that Chief Shitta Bey bequeathed the mosque to Muslim Ummah in Lagos and that it was designated as National monument by the Nigerian Commission for Museums and Monuments.
“The famous contribution of Chief Shitta-Bey to the lifting of Islam in fear of Allah (SWT) did not end with the building of Moshalashi Shitta-Bey.
“It was he, indeed that first reconstructed, in 1873, the main Lagos Central Mosque- which was just a few metre or blocks away from the Shitta Bey Mosque.
“By so doing, he brought the Lagos Central Mosque to a befitting standard of the time, by replacing the mud structure built in 1864 with blocks, cements and corrugated iron sheets.
“This Moshalashi Shitta Bey symbolises the following: unity of Ummah in Lagos Island, pursuit of noble sacrifice, altruistic philanthropism, honest entrepreneurship, birth of industry and commerce, deep empathy and care of others, and dedication to the advancement of the people of the Lagos.”
Chief Muhammad Shitta-Bey represented in his distinguished lifetime, an aristocrat and astute and consummate businessman, who gave his all in fear of Allah (SWT) for Islam, without expecting a return from any man.
“Apart from building this Iconic Shitta-Bey Mosque and reconstructing the main Lagos Central Mosque, Chief Shitta-Bey continued on this charitable trajectory.
“One relevant example here was the systematic replacement of thatched roofs of Mosques across Lagos and replacing them with corrugated iron sheets.
“Thus, on behalf of FAMILY OF MUHAMMED SHITTA BEY, THE BASHORUN IN COUNCIL OF OLOWOGBOWO DIVISION, THE JUMU’ATUL MUSLIMEEN COUNCIL (EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE CENTRAL MOSQUE, AND THE ENTIRE MUSLIM UMMAH OF LAGOS ISLAND AND LAGOS STATE, we implore Your Excellency to provide all that is needed and required to bring back the glory of our LEGACY MOSQUE.
