Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, a legal practitioner and convener of the Foundation, expressed thanks and appreciation to Almighty Allah for the success of the second edition, saying that MIND will continue to identify, celebrate, position, protect and facilitate placement of exceptional Muslim graduates.
By Rasheed Abubakar
The Muslim In National Development (MIND) Foundation on Sunday, August 31, 2025, hosted the second edition of its annual Muslim First-Class Graduates Reception at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, celebrating the academic excellence of 87 graduates from universities across Nigeria.
Guest speakers at the event urged the First Class Muslim graduates to uphold their academic excellence while preparing for life beyond the classroom.
Foundation should develop database to connect First Class Muslim Graduates: Hajia Bala Usman
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Strategy, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, commended the graduates for their achievements and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their faith.
According to her, “I am very proud of them for having been able to emerge best graduating students in their respective institutions. But going forward, they need much more than being first-class holders. I want them to create a culture of excellence and hold firmly to their deen.”
Hajia Bala Usman, a former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) also recommended that the foundation develop a public database of first-class graduates to connect them with recruitment opportunities.
“For example, if I am aware there is a recruitment going on and I have interest in speaking to someone, I know I can go to the MIND Foundation database and pull out first class graduates from engineering, chemistry and others. Creating the database and making it public is very important,” she noted
Anchor your lives, carriers on faith, moral integrity, social-cultural uprightness: Dr Salisu
Also, speaking at the event, Dr Muhammad Salisu, a Consultant Paediatrician at LASUTH, during his presentation, urged Muslim first class graduates to anchor their lives and careers on faith, emotional intelligence, creative intelligence, moral integrity, and socio-cultural uprightness.
He mentioned that they should be proud of themselves but recognise that they were only at the beginning of their journey. He added that they were fortunate to have personalities ahead of them who had come to educate them and would continue to be available as guides in their life’s sojourn.
According to him, individuals must first understand who they are, as this self-awareness influences everything they eventually become.
He further advised that people must be clear about their values, the boundaries they must never cross, which ultimately define their integrity and principles in life.
Lawmaker urges graduates to embrace structured environments for growth
Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, representing Ogun Central and Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, urged the graduates to see their first-class degrees as a “key” to opportunities, rather than an end.
“They have made First-Class Honours, and it is inspiring. But in life, you need much more than intellectual brilliance to survive. You need humility to learn, creativity, and a clear sense of purpose,” the lawmaker said, adding that young people must embrace structured environments for growth before rushing to “earn.”
The Distinguished Senator told the Muslim graduates that achieving First Class Honours is inspiring and shows dedication, commitment, scholarship, and intellectual brilliance. He however urged them to embark on continuous learning saying that intellectual brilliance alone is not enough.
According to him, “You have the key, which is your first class. It is like a badge. When you move around and you have a badge, it is like a key. To a large extent, you can determine the door you want to use the key to open and what you want to do inside the space you have been granted access to.”
He congratulated graduates, saying a First Class degree should give new levels of thinking, opportunity identification, life purpose, and faith in Allah to pursue it. “It is important to clearly define where you want to go in life, otherwise opportunities will be wasted,” he added.
MIND will continue to celebrate, facilitate placement of First Class Muslim graduates: Convener
Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, a legal practitioner and convener of the Foundation, expressed thanks and appreciation to Almighty Allah for the success of the second edition, saying that MIND will continue to identify, celebrate, position, protect and facilitate placement of exceptional Muslim graduates.
Dr. Banire explained – a legal luminary, described the initiative as a platform for mentorship, networking, and professional guidance for outstanding Muslim graduates.
According to him, “In the maiden edition, last year, we had about 106 graduates. This year, we are celebrating 87 First-Class Muslim Graduates. We brought them together to be mentored by people who we consider successful, to guide them in their future endeavours, assist them with placements into job opportunities, and connect them with relevant people in society.
He added that the foundation intends to expand its reach by tracking more first-class graduates from institutions nationwide.
The event also featured testimonies from the first graduates who had benefitted from the initiative.
Maryam Lawal, a first-class graduate of Lagos State University (LASU) and Nigerian Law School, expressed gratitude for the recognition.
“I feel honoured and appreciative of how far I have come. Achieving first-class requires discipline, consistency, hard work, and prayer. Law is not something one does with strength alone; you need Allah’s guidance,” she said.
Another awardee, Ameerah Bolajoko, the best graduating student in Philosophy from Lagos State University with a CGPA of 4.76, recounted her struggles and determination.
“Everybody said philosophy was tough and no one had ever graduated with first class in the department. But with dedication, prayer, and support from my parents, I made it. This programme encourages us and shows that our efforts did not go to waste,” she noted.
Bolajoko, who is currently pursuing a professional master’s in Human Resources Management, expressed hopes of securing international scholarships to further her studies.
The reception highlighted MIND Foundation’s growing role in bridging the gap between academic brilliance and career opportunities for Muslim graduates, while fostering mentorship and a strong sense of faith-driven purpose.
It was attended by dignitaries and prominent Nigerians including Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; Senator Mikhail Tokunbo Abiru, Chairman, Senate Southern Forum; former member, House of Representatives, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro; Dr. Mumini Alao, President, University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA); Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, pro-Chancellor, Summit University, Offa and Alhaji Ayodeji AbdulWahid AbdulRauf, President of NASFAT.
Others are Dr. Tunde Popoola, Chief Executive Officer, Credit Bureau Company Limited; Professor Khalid Adekoya, Director, School of Foundation Studies, UNILAG; Dr. Salisu Adebayo, pediatrician; Alhaja Shareefah Abiola Andu Chief Executive Officer, Arabel Islamic Clothings and chairman of Lekki Phase 1 Residents Association (LERA); Barr. Musbau Oyefeso, Aare Musulumi of Ijebuland and Mal Kamor Disu, Executive Chairman, Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria; Mal Nurudeen Yousupha, among others.
BEAUTIFUL FACES AT THE EVENT AS CAPTURED BY RASHEED ABUBAKAR
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