KH Mohammad Nuh: Scholar, Intellectual, Technocrat, and Statesman in the PBNU Syuriah
Jakarta - The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) recently appointed Prof. Dr. Ir. KH. Mohammad Nuh, DEA, as the new Katib Aam (Chief Secretary) of the PBNU Syuriah. The decision was made during a joint meeting of the PBNU Syuriah and Tanfidziyah in Jakarta on December 13, 2025.
The appointment was widely welcomed, given Prof. Nuh’s rich track record as a religious scholar, academic, bureaucrat, and activist in Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization.
Prof. Nuh, born in Surabaya on June 17, 1959, is a true “arek Suroboyo” (native Surabayan) who grew up in a religious environment. His father, KH. Muchammad Nabhani, was the founder and caretaker of the Gununganyar Islamic Boarding School in Surabaya. It is no surprise that Prof. Nuh grew up with a strong foundation in classical Islamic texts (kitab kuning). This background shaped his character and deep religious understanding from an early age.
His status as a gus (son of a kiai) did not prevent him from pursuing formal education in science and technology. His academic success, culminating in a rectorship at a prestigious state university, seemingly “overshadowed” his pesantren origins.
He completed his undergraduate degree (S1) in Electrical Engineering at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya in 1983.
His academic brilliance led him to earn his Master’s (S2) and Doctoral (S3) degrees from the prestigious École Centrale de Nantes in France. This unique combination of pesantren tradition and modern intellectual excellence is his greatest strength, making him a figure capable of bridging religious discourse and contemporary challenges.
Prof. Nuh became widely known during his tenure as Minister of Communication and Information Technology and later as Minister of National Education/Minister of Education and Culture under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. During his time in the ministry, he implemented a number of strategic policies that directly impacted the Nahdliyin community, particularly in education.
Among his significant contributions are:
First, promoting the establishment of Nahdlatul Ulama Universities (UNU). As Minister of Education and Culture, Prof. Nuh facilitated and granted permits for the establishment of several Nahdlatul Ulama Universities in various cities across Indonesia. This initiative aimed to strengthen human resources within the NU community and improve access to higher education for Nahdliyin members.
Second, pioneering LPDP scholarships for pesantren students. He played a major role in initiating and allocating scholarship programs, including through the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP), which can be accessed by pesantren students and graduates to pursue Master’s and Doctoral studies both domestically and abroad.
Third, initiating religious moderation programs, particularly within the NU community. Prof. Nuh consistently promoted the strengthening of religious moderation programs through national education policy, in line with the Ahlussunnah wal Jama’ah Islamic values upheld by NU.
Before being appointed as Katib Aam, Prof. Nuh was already active in the PBNU structure as one of the Rais Syuriyah, a position that gave him deep understanding of the organization’s internal dynamics and strategic policy direction.
The appointment of Prof. Nuh as Katib Aam Syuriah — the second-highest position after Rais Aam — is considered highly appropriate. The Syuriah’s role is to guide, oversee, and direct the organization in accordance with NU’s decisions and charter (khittah). With his educational and political background, Prof. Nuh has the capacity to carry out these duties.
His experience in education is highly relevant in guiding NU’s education policy direction, while his experience in politics and bureaucracy provides the managerial and leadership expertise needed to manage an organization as large as NU.
The combination of religious scholarship, technical expertise, and leadership experience makes him a highly communicative figure. The author has been fortunate to communicate with him directly on several occasions. His language is fluid and visionary.
Therefore, the author is very optimistic that Prof. Nuh will carry the trust and play a central role in preserving the dignity and directing PBNU’s future strategy, ensuring NU continues to deliver greater benefit to the ummah and the nation. Wallahu’alam bishawab.