Abdullahi Bala Lau

Abdullahi Bala Lau, popularly known as Sheikh Balalau, is a Nigerian Islamic scholar, cleric, mufassir, and preacher. He is the national Chairman^[1] of the Jama'atu Izalatul Bidi'ah wa Ikamatus Sunnah,^[2] the largest Salafi movement in Nigeria,^[3] since December 2011.^[4][5]

Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau
National Chairman IZALA Religious Aid Group
Title	Sheikh
Personal life
Born	30 December 1964 Lau, Taraba State
Nationality	Nigerian
Children	24
Era	Modern era
Region	Northern Nigeria
Main interest(s)	Fiqh and Tafsir
Notable work(s)	Eradicating Bidi'ah
Occupation	Mufassir Barrister, Islamic cleric, Teacher, and Mufassir
Religious life
Religion	Islam
Denomination	Sunni
Jurisprudence	Maliki
Movement	Malikiyya
Muslim leader
Influenced by Malik Ibn Anas and Abubakar Gumi

Life

Balalau was born and raised in Lau Taraba State.

Career

Bala Lau^[6] is a member of the board of trustees and central working committee. Bala Lau is the national chairman Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatul Sunnah (JIBWIS) Nigeria. He became the public relations officer (P.R.O.)^[3] of the organization, at age of 19, in his home state of Taraba. He was appointed chief Imam of Daubeli Juma’ah mosque of Yola North. Following this, he became a member of JIBWIS national executive committee, National Preaching Class and chairman of the launching committee. Bala Lau became the deputy national chairman after the death of Sheikh Abubakar Ikara.

On August 13 Bala Lau met — while Nigerien crisis 2023 — the president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, Abdourahamane Tchiani in Niamey.^[7]