TEXT OF THE ADDRESS OF ALHAJI RASAKI OLADEJO, FCS,– PRESIDENT, THE MUSLIM UMMAH OF SOUTH WEST NIGERIA (MUSWEN) AND DEPUTY PRESIDENT-GENERAL (SOUTH), NIGERIAN SUPREME COUNCIL FOR ISLAMIC AFFAIRS (NSCIA) AT THE 10TH MUSWEN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HELD ON SUNDAY, 16TH NOVEMBER, 2025 AT THE BOLA BABALAKIN AUDITORIUM, GBONGAN, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA.
i. Salutation
Your Excellency, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke; Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Abiodun Oluwaseyi Makinde, FNSE, GSRSS; Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ekiti State; Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, ably represented by the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Prof. Habibat Omolola Adubiaro; Your Excellency, our Distinguished Guest Speaker and Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Audu Sule; The Distinguished Guest of Honour at today’s occasion, Your Eminence, The Sultan of Sokoto, Amirul Mu’minin of Nigeria, President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Alhaji Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni; the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland and a notable Sponsor of today’s event, Alhaji (Dr) Khalid Tunde Badmus; the Distinguished Chairman, MUSWEN Board of Trustees and the Principal Sponsor of today’s event, Dr Abdur-Rauf Omobolanle Olawale Babalakin, SAN, OFR and other eminent members of the Board; Your Royal Highnesses, Eminent Obas and Chiefs; Your Lords Temporal; the President-General, League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere and other eminent members of the League; the Deputy President I, MUSWEN, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, FCA; the Deputy President II, MUSWEN, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike, FCIB; the MUSWEN Executive Secretary, Professor Muslih Tayo Yahya, FAR, FASN; Presidents/Chairmen of the State Muslim Communities/Councils; Leadership of the various Muslim Organizations; The Treasurer and Chairman Finance and Business Committee, Alhaji Ariyo Olushekun, FCA, FCS and other distinguished Chairmen of MUSWEN’s Standing Committees; Leadership of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland; representatives of Muslim professional organizations; women organizations; youth/students’ organizations; Respected Islamic Scholars; Distinguished delegates and invited guests; Gentlemen of the Press; Brothers and Sisters in Islam.
Assalam alaykum wa rahmatullah wa baarakatuhu.
It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you all to the 10th General Assembly of our regional organization, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN). First and foremost, let us thank the Almighty Allah for giving us the privilege to participate in another General Assembly after the previous one held in Ibadan at exactly a year ago. Alhamdulilahi. Our special thanks also go to our Brother and President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for finding time out of his very busy schedule to grace this occasion with his immense presence. Thank you Sir. We pray Almighty Allah to bless your efforts, strengthen your leadership and make your tenure a lasting legacy for justice, peace and prosperity for all Nigerians. We must thank our Chief Host and the Executive Governor of Osun State, Your Excellency, Governor Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke for gracing today’s occasion personally. On behalf of MUSWEN, I am grateful for your moral and financial support to the association.
My special thanks equally go to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his constant support to MUSWEN. His Excellency is ably represented here by our sister and Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Prof Habibat Omolola Adubiaro. We are particularly grateful to our distinguished Guest Speaker and the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi Audu Sule for participating at today’s big event. I am indeed very grateful to our Special Guest of Honour, Your Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Amirul Mu’minin of Nigeria and Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Alhaji Dr Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, for honouring our invitation inspite of his very busy schedule. It is gratifying to note that His Eminence attended MUSWEN General Assembly last year and he was the personality that fixed the date of this 10th Anniversary celebration of MUSWEN which is holding Inshaa Allah today. Your Eminence, we salute you Sir. Let me also express our appreciation to Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus who had to travel to Nigeria specifically for the MUSWEN General Assembly. We are particularly grateful to our Host, the distinguished Chairman of MUSWEN Board of Trustees, Dr AbdurRafiu Wale Babalakin, SAN, OFR, for hosting this General Assembly at this palatial Bola Babalakin Auditorium in GBONGAN today . I am also grateful to other eminent guests too numerous to mention who are seated in this auditorium at the opening ceremony of our 10th General Assembly.
As it is customary, I shall begin with a review of the Nigerian economy since the last General Assembly held in Ibadan on Sunday, November 16, 2024 and thereafter discuss the outlook of the association for the foreseeable future. The audited financial accounts of MUSWEN for the 2024 financial year will also be reviewed at today’s General Assembly.
MUSWEN is the umbrella organisation for all the Muslims in the six states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo in South West Nigeria. It embraces all Islamic organizations, NGOs, League of Imams and Alfas, Muslim traditional and community leaders, title holders, Muslim Intellectuals, professional tradesmen and business people, women and youth who for the purposes of advancing Islam and the interest and progress of Muslims in South West Nigeria bounded themselves together under the guidance of Allah (SWT) Most High and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). MUSWEN rests on the State Councils/ Communities that coordinate the affairs of Muslims in the six states. MUSWEN is also one of the main components of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and serves as the coordinating body for the office of the Deputy President-General (South) of the NSCIA. MUSWEN has established itself as the primary unifying body and collective voice for Muslims in the South West region of Nigeria.
ii. Review of the Nigerian socio- economic space:
It was a rude shock when US President Donald Trump recently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act based on misinformation of Christians persecution made by very few disgruntled and unpatriotic Nigerians.Coming at a time Nigeria was regaining credibility after years of insecurity, corruption scandals and image erosion, the redesignation is unfortunate and undeserved to say the least.
However, the (re)designation is not destiny and with the support of our international friends and partners and patriotic Nigerians including religious leaders of different faiths , Nigeria will definitely turn this crisis into opportunities to reclaim its positive narratives, rebuild trust and reassert its leadership as Africa’s moral and democratic compass.
Until this crisis, Tinubu Administration has stabilized the Nigerian economy with the implementation of his bold, though painful, economic reforms which have attracted global investors. These include the removal of fuel subsidies, merging of the multiple exchange rates windows into a single market rate and implementation of new measures by the Monetary Authorities to strengthen corporate governance and stabilze the Naira. Consequently, the GDP has recorded the highest growth rate in the last 7years. The impact of the growth has been marked by declining inflation rates and lower food prices. However, rents and energy costs remain high and government patronage of locally produced goods is abysmally poor. On a good note, the Federal Government should be commended for its efforts at poverty reduction and improvement in primary healthcare delivery. Pensions for direct benefit pensioners have been increased while the number on the National Health Insurance Program has increased dramatically to 60 million people. However government still need to spend more on roads, railways and housing.
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iii Attendance at Meetings
I am happy to report that most of the MUSWEN Standing Committees conducted their meetings virtually except a few, such as the Secretariat Advisory Committee which meets physically regularly every fortnight, Economic Empowerment and Wealth Creation Committee which meets physically every quarter and Mediation and Reconciliation Committee which meets physically whenever cases are referred to it. But the General Purpose Committee (GPC) which meets physically every 2 months and the Central Working Committee (CWC) which meets physically every quarter are responsible for the overall administration and management of MUSWEN and its organs. The average attendance rate at GPC and CWC is above 80%. This attendance is impressive given that no sitting allowance, transport allowance and hotel expenses are paid to members as incentive for regular attendance. Two new Committees have been created to cater specifically for the youth and women; the Youth Committee under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Hamed Danmole and the Women’s Consultative Forum with Prof Lateefah Durosinmi as Chairperson.
The Mediation and Reconciliation Committee intervened in crises in Osun, Ondo and Lagos states. In the Inisha Osun State Imamship tussle, the Committee met the stakeholders and advised them to withdraw their suits from the court in the interest of peace and unity of the Ummah and thereafter choose a new Imam using the Sharia as guide. On the Ikare Central Mosque crisis, all the stakeholders received the MUSWEN team well but the Committee felt that the resolution of their problem is with the Ondo State Government. On the Lagos Central Mosque crisis, the Committee advised that the case be withdrawn from the court for appropriate settlement of the crisis.
Putting all these crises in perspective, including the Ogbomoso Imamship crisis into which the NSCIA has waded in , MUSWEN will Inshaa Allah, organize Enlightenment Seminars across the six states on the Proper Procedures of Selecting Imams and the Right Relationship between the Spiritual and the Administrative Heads of the Mosques.
iv. Commissioning of ALHAJA TAIBAT ALI SHOPPING MALL, AGBENI, IBADAN
On Sunday, September 14, 2025 MUSWEN members including the pioneer Executive Secretary, Prof D. O. S. Noibi, OBE joined a legal luminary and distinguished Member of MUSWEN Board of Trustees, Prof Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, his mother Alhaja TAIBAT Ali and friends and family members at Agbeni , Ibadan to thank Prof Ali the donor of the space with its previous structure which to the glory of Allah, sub’hanau wa ta ala, MUSWEN has transformed to the masterpiece which was commissioned that day. In appreciation of Prof Yusuf Ali’s great gesture, the Shopping Mall was named ALHAJA TAIBAT ALI MALL after his 93 years old mother who was physically present at the ceremony. The mall consisting of 12 shops, 2 stores, industrial borehole and four toilets is expected to contribute modestly to the internally generated revenue of MUSWEN. The supervisor of the project and the Chairman MUSWEN Property Development Committee, Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade was highly commended for his ingenuity and professionalism. This building which was commissioned by the President of MUSWEN , Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, FCS, was financed solely from MUSWEN’s savings.
If we are also able to raise significant amount today from the distinguished guests at this General Assembly, we will apply some to rebuilding the two-bedroom bungalow at the Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe, Abuja donated to MUSWEN by Dr Wale Babalakin while a large chunk will be used to finance the new MUSWEN Headquarters Building at the GRA Agodi, Ibadan . This achievement will give us the opportunity to lease out our current Headquarters Building on Iwo Road, Ibadan. This way, MUSWEN hopes to reduce its dependence upon donors for its operations.
Our plans for 2026 include the following broad areas:
Economic empowerment across the six South West states.
Skills acquisition including coding, Artificial Intelligence, robotics etc.
Establishment of health facilities in all the six states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.
v. Scholarship and Bursary Awards
At this occasion, under the Sultan Abubakar Female Medical Student Scholarship Scheme, twelve (12) medical students two from each of the six states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo will receive cheques for their Scholarships. In addition, the Special Guest of Honor today, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Dr Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, will be giving each recipient a laptop computer to aid their studies.
In 2026, MUSWEN plans to give 120 Bursary Awards to deserving students from the region. The Education Committee will conduct aptitude tests to select the recipients. Our goal is to increase the figure to 600 annually.
Vi. Ayisat Aweni Raji Memorial Islamic Center, Iseyin
The founder of the Ayisat Aweni Raji Memorial Islamic Center, Iseyin, Alhaji Chief Ahmed Raji, SAN, Baba Adini of Oke Ogun, has accepted to work with MUSWEN in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding submitted to him for the professional management of the Center. To this end, a Governing Council has been set up with members drawn from MUSWEN and the rest nominated by the Founder/Chairman. The new Council could not take-off this year for some reasons, but Inshaa Allah, the Council will begin activities early 2026.
Vii. Greetings to our Leaders in Yorubaland
We congratulate Alhaji Muhammad Bello Oyinlomo Danmole, former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and the new President of the Muslim Community of Lagos State. We wish him a successful tenure.
We congratulate His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, on his coronation as Alaafin of Oyo. May his reign bring peace and prosperity to his people.
MUSWEN greets the President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello on the 40th Anniversary as Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti Central Mosque. We wish him the best in the years ahead.
We salute alaiyeluwa , Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Akanmu Ladoja, Arusha 1 on his coronation which was graced by His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Eminence, The Sultan of Sokoto amongst many dignitaries on Friday, 26th September, 2025. May his reign be peaceful and prosperous for Ibadan and Yorubaland.
I congratulate Imam Nojim Jimoh, a friend and fellow alumnus of the University of Lagos who recently emerged as the Amir of The Companion, one of the very progressive Muslim organizations in Nigeria. I wish the Amir a successful tenure.
viii. 2023 Audited Financial Statement
MUSWEN, as a good corporate organization, regularly audits its accounts using one of the recognized auditors, GAFARI MUSILIYU & CO (Chartered Accountants) for the exercise. The audited financial statements for the 2024 Fiscal year will be presented at this General Assembly. The accounts and auditors opinion indicate that the financial assets of MUSWEN have been managed properly during the period under review.
ix.The 10th General Assembly
The 8th General Assembly hosted in Lagos on Saturday, 9th December, 2023 by the Muslim Community of Lagos State (MCLS) was the first to be held outside the MUSWEN Headquarters in Ibadan since the establishment of the organization in August 2008. The event was well organized and well attended. Osun State Muslim Community (OSMC) is hosting the 10th General Assembly today at Justice Bola BABALAKIN Hall in 2025. I hope OSMC will improve on the impressive performance of Lagos. The 11th General Assembly will hold in Ibadan in 2026 Inshaa Allah.
May Allah spare our lives.
x.Obituary:
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaehi roji’oon
During the period under review, the Muslim Ummah in South West Nigeria lost a rare gem, a friend and former President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR who died in July, 2025. May Allah grant his soul Aljanah Firdaws. President Tinubu organized a befitting burial for him.
Another Muslim dignitary and first class traditional ruler, Oba Alhaji Dr Sikiru Adetona, CCON, died almost the same time as President Muhammadu Buhari. The two departed leaders were devout Muslims and principled statesmen. The late Awujale as the President of Ogun State Muslim Council and the leader of Muslim Obas in Yorubaland was acclaimed for advocating religious rights for traditional rulers, that culminated in the landmark Obas and Chiefs Laws of Ogun State (2023), affirming burial rites in accordance with personal faith of traditional rulers . May Allah grant his soul Aljanah Firdaws.
xi. Conclusion
Let me at the end of my speech inform you that our Executive Secretary, Prof Muslih Tayo Yahya, FAR,FASN will be leaving us at the end of his six years meritorious service to MUSWEN. I want to thank Prof Yahya on your behalf and wish him well in his future endeavors. Meanwhile, a send-forth party is being organized in his honour and some of you will be invited. While Prof Yahya will be leaving us at the end of this month, the Central Working Committee has approved Prof Lateef Wole Abbas as the incoming Executive Secretary of the organization. Prof Abbas is well known to you in MUSWEN as he has been working selflessly during the formation years and since the formal registration and inauguration of the association in 2008. Prof Abbas is the immediate past Head of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Ibadan. On your behalf, I welcome Prof Abbas and wish him a successful tenure.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I am grateful to everyone who has been supporting MUSWEN both morally and financially. I thank the Chairmen and members of the State Councils/Communities, Chairmen, and members of the Standing Committees and distinguished members of the General Purpose Committee and the Central Working Committee. I appreciate the Executive Secretary and staff of our Secretariat for their loyalty, hardwork and diligence . I must not forget to thank the ubiquitous Chairman, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade and his committed members of the MUSWEN 10th General Assembly Planning Committee for the excellent arrangement for this year’s event. Finally, I thank my able deputies, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti and Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike, for their cooperation.
Wasalaam alaykum wa rahmatullah wa baarakatuh
