It was a never-to-forget event as family, friends and associates gathered on Friday, February 24, 2022 at the University of Abuja Convocation Square to celebrate Dr. Sulaimon Olagoke Ogunmuyiwa, who bagged his PhD in Education Administration and Planning. His thesis focused on the “Implementation of Quality Assurance Policy and Learning Outcome at the Post-Basic Education Level in South-West, Nigeria.
Ogunmuyiwa, an indigene of Ogun State, was among the 267 PhD candidates that graduated from the institution during the 25th and 26th convocation (combined) held between Tuesday 22nd and Friday 25th February 2022.
The convocation lecture was delivered by her Excellency, Mary Beth Leonard, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria.
The celebrant, a renowned academic and marriage counsellor, with family and friends including the Chief Executive Officer of Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, Dr. Abdullahi Shuaib, the Managing Director of New Crescent International Travels, Hajia Hasanat Sogbesan, the Executive Director of First Class Muslim Foundation, Mr Abolore Sobayo, the Executive Director of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Prince Sulaiman Olagunju and his amiable wife, Hajiya Mujidah, used the occasion to thank Allah, the Lord of Incomparable Majesty.
Fondly called “Sman” by admirers, one of the latest PhD holder in town is also a Da’ee (caller), who became the Amir (President) of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit at the tender age of 24, making him the youngest in the history of the organisation in Nigeria.
Interestingly, Lagos, one of the most active Units of MSSN has produced many Amirs, with PhD, among them are Dr. Shakirudeen Ajani, Dr. Moshood Bello, and Dr. Saheed Ashafa.
In this exclusive interview with Muslim News, Dr. Ogunmuyiwa reminisced on his journey to PhD, having bagged two Masters 15 years earlier before commencing the Doctorate degree.
Excerpt from the interview
How do you feel being conferred with the PhD honour?
The feeling was that of gratitude and ecstasy. I had overwhelming joy that my mum (Alhaja Rahmatallah Ogunmuyiwa), my siblings (Shams O’Muyiwa, Dr Dhikrah Akinremi and Mrs Shakirat Salau) and my loving wife (Qudrah Ogunmuyiwa) made it down to Abuja. It gives me a lot of excitement because throughout my course, I have always travelled to Abuja alone. But finally, after I completed the programme and had the opportunity to do my convocation with so many loved ones around me. It also gives me a strong feeling of excitement having academic excellence handshake with the Pro-Chancellor, and Vice-Chancellor of the university at the event.
What is the focus of your thesis?
My thesis focused on the Implementation of Quality Assurance Policy and Learning Outcome at the Post-Basic Education Level in South-West, Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Education In Nigeria adopted a new mode of inspection in schools below tertiary institution. What we were using was the traditional model inherited from Britain called Her Majesty Inspectorate. This traditional inspection model was in vogue up till 2009 before the Federal Government adopted Quality Assurance Evaluation model, which was quite new.
It was observed that only few states implemented the new inspection eigth (8) years after. Rather, some just changed name and many did not adopt the new model. So, my thesis examined the implementation across the states in the South-West with a view to identify the challenges being faced by the states in the implementation process of this policy. The study added to knowledge bank as confirmed by the defense panel that I was able to develop an implementation model that will make it easy for any state in Nigeria to implement the Quality Assurance Policy. It is a five-stage implementation process that was developed by me.
Can you take us through your education sojourn?
I had my primary education at Obele Odan Primary School, Surulere before I proceeded to Ikeja Grammar School, Oshodi. Thereafter, I attended Lagos State School of Basic Studies for a year after which I got admission into the University of Lagos in 1989 to study Guidance and Counselling. I finished in 1994 and did my NYSC at Lagos State Model College, Meiran. I was Amir, Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria (MCAN), Lagos State during my service period.
I got a job with the Lagos State Government a few days after completing service in 1995 as a classroom teacher. During service, I already put in for my Master’s Programme. My first Masters was in 1996-97 in Guidance and Counseling. My second Masters was in 1999/2000 in Education Administration and that was what gave me the privilege to have my Ph.D. in Administration and Planning. Both Masters were in UNILAG.
Why did it take you 15 years after MSc before you started your PhD?
After my second Masters, I waited for 15 years before proceeding for PhD because I didn’t see any need for a PhD. Despite the fact that in 2008, my friends and I had a meeting – Prof. Kamil Omotesho, Prof. Ahmed Adedeji, Dr Nurudeen Olaleye, Dr Mas’ud Bello and Alhaji Abdulhameed Solate. They all suggested that I should enroll for a PhD based on my life goals. But, at that time, I was really engrossed in the ministry work because I was a P.A to Late Alhaja Taslimot Akinwande, a Tutor General/Permanent Secretary. So, I didn’t see the need for PhD. It was 8 years after that it dawned on me that I needed to start the PhD program.
That was the time I had the conviction that for me to make the right impact in the world, I need to have a PhD.
How smooth was it?
It was pretty challenging but I sincerely thank Allah. Initially, I chose to do my PhD in the University of Abuja because they don’t offer coursework all through. But unfortunately for me, the year I started was when the National University Commission made one-year coursework compulsory for PhD students in the country. So, I had to be in Abuja every two weeks and I travelled only once by road. All other trips to Abuja were by flight. It was quite challenging financially, with work and family. I was working and at the same time going to Abuja. A lot of funds actually went into this program, but I just had to sacrifice it. Sometimes, I would have spent about N50,000 going to Abuja, only to be told the lectures won’t hold again. And I would just go back to Lagos like that. It was quite challenging. At different times, I was graciously hosted by the Jempejis, the Abdul-Majids and Dr Shuaib and they made my stay in Abuja quite homely.
Aside working with the Lagos State Government, what other things do you do?
I have always been working with government since 1995 and by God’s grace, this year 2022, I will be going for my last interview to become a Director at the Ministry, and that’s the peak I can get to by promotion. While working, I volunteered for so many other organisations. So, I serve as Lead Counsellor for M-Solution Consulting International because of my passion for counselling. I do academic counselling, and all sort of counselling. Essentially, I major in marriage counselling because I see this as a big gap in the country. I am also the Chairman of Incorporated Trustees of First Class Muslim Foundation. I got the burning desire to be part of this Foundation because I see so many young Muslims getting their first class and not getting the right mentorship. That’s what we are doing at the First Class Muslim Foundation. Also, I serve as the Chairman of New Crescent International Travels where we try to make some contributions to the conduct of Hajj and Umrah industry in Nigeria. I am also the President of Complete Trust Cooperatives, which is an interest-free cooperative and we have close to 1000 members now.
Can you take us through your Islamic activism?
I came into the University of Lagos like every other Muslim and I had little knowledge of the religion. Getting to UNILAG, I met brothers who impacted my life and in my year 2, I started attending MSSN programmes. In year 3, I was Assistant Welfare Secretary, MSSN Unilag and in my year 4, I was made the Asset Maintenance Officer. At the same time, Oshodi Area Council of the Muslim Student Society was created around 1991/92, and I was the Secretary of the Caretaker committee, after 6 months, I was confirmed as the Secretary of the Area Council. I was the Secretary till 1995 before I was appointed as the Amir, MSSN Lagos State Area Unit at the age 24 and I spent 5 years in office.
Being a marriage counsellor, how do you think couples can get along with their individual goals and aspirations?
It’s very important and I will like to emphasise here that couples must be on the same page. Right from the beginning, they must have shared values, goals and aspirations. For example, the husband is an academic and enthusiastic person, he should let the wife or wife-to-be know that about him in projecting a view of their future. I told my wife even before my Ph.D. that I wanted to have a world-class center where I train youths toward right values. That was a dream and my wife knew it was a dream I love to accomplish. If I have to explain to her that I need to get my Ph.D. to accomplish my dream, she will understand that it’s on the track. So, there must be shared values, goals and aspirations. When the values, goals, and aspirations are not shared, it will look like one person is progressing and the other is not, and the support will not come. Rather, unnecessary animosity will develop. I strongly appeal to husbands they should support the dreams and aspirations of their wives. And if you have a wife that does not really have great aspirations, try to sit with them and craft an enviable future for them. Great aspiration does not mean they must be out all day; it about understanding their nature, what they enjoy doing and what they wants to achieve in life. We must always create the right communication environment to have this conversation.
What advice do you have for single sisters with goals and aspirations in relation to getting married?
It’s part of the orientation we give our single sisters especially the First Class product whenever we have a programmes for them. Allah has blessed them with intellect which has helped them get a First Class. Then, they need to be careful in the selection of who to marry. Whoever they want to marry should believe in what they want to do. Getting married does not stop you from achieving your goals; in fact, in many instances, it is a great booster which helps you to be focused. Just make sure you marry the right person who will understand and if you see someone not believing in what you want to do, you need to think twice. I know people who are pained because their goals have been truncated by their husbands and there’s nothing they can do. They are not happy in the marriage because they are not fulfilled. I also recommend pre-marital counseling in this regard.
