Nigeria has one of the largest
Muslim populations in West Africa, with the Pew Research Center estimating that it is between 48.5% (2010) and 50.4% (2009). The
CIA estimates 50% while the
BBC estimates slightly over 50% (2007). Muslims in Nigeria are predominantly
Sunni in the
Maliki school, which is also the governing
Sharia law. However, there is a significant
Shia minority, primarily in
Kaduna,
Kano,
Katsina and
Sokoto State; (see
Shia in Nigeria). A smaller minority follow the
Ahmadiyya, a reformatory religion originating in 19th century India. In particular Pew Forum on religious diversity identifies 3
s Shia Muslims and 12 percent as 'Darika' Muslims.