Twelve northern states in Nigeria took various steps in 1999 to extend implementation of Shari'ah law. These steps could have been the most significant and controversial changes in Nigeria’s laws in many years. Although the Muslim population is in the majority in all of these states, there are non-Muslim populations, notably Christians, as well. A research study plans to examine the effect of the new Shari'ah implementation on pluralism in general, and on constitutionally guaranteed rights of non-Muslims in particular.