By Abdul-Mumin Abdul-Quadir
Let’s build structures that will outlive us for Islam – Tajudeen Yusuf
Professor Tajudeen Yusuf, a professor of Risk Management and Insurance at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has tasked Muslims to invest in education saying it’s the best way to bridge gaps and elevate the Ummah
He made the call while speaking at the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremony of the new branch of Ar-Rahman Montessori Schools, at Olaniyi Street, New Okooba, Lagos, on Sunday, 31st August 2025.
Muslim News gathered that the school has been in operation for about three decades in Kosofe area of Lagos State, imparting knowledge in the future leaders and preparing them for emerging realities.
The school has gathered great momentum and won the trust of many parents and caregivers whose children and wards have been schooled within its premises over time but decided to extend its influence to other areas.
The Islamic finance expert congratulated the school for breaking a new ground. He emphasised on the need for the Muslims to invest in education while urging stakeholders to rally support around League of Muslim School Proprietors LEAMSP.
According to him, “Investment in education is the best way to bridge gaps and elevate the Ummah. There is no better way to go about it. You can’t imagine where the children you teach today will be tomorrow. They can be governors, ministers, and parsonages in the near future.
“The impact you have on them, however little or much, continues to live with them, and they will always remember you for that. I have been a beneficiary of the rewards of teaching on different occasions. Hence, you should see them as trusts, and treat them as such.
The Varsity don, who is also the President of the Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals (IIFP), Nigeria, admonished Muslim individuals and organisations to build structures that will outlive them.
He praised the founders of the school for building a gigantic structure for educational growth of their students, stressing the relevance of building enduring structures.
“I was so delighted to see the edifice Ar-Rahman built here when I came. It’s gigantic, and as Muslims, we need to build it and the ones that are even more magnificent. I pray our director has a very long life. This structure will definitely outlive him. Let’s all consider the case of our fathers and mothers at Ansar-ud-Deen. The structures they built many decades ago are still standing tall even when they are no more.
“The Ummah needs these structures. Let’s all start building structures. It doesn’t have to be a school at all times. We can all contribute to the growth and development of the Ummah in our different fields of endeavour,” he said.
Director of the school, Alhaji Abdul-Kabeer Sulaiman, restated the school’s commitment to the reason it was founded.
He said: “In the year 1996, we combed the then Kosofe Local Government of Lagos State, and could not find just one Islamic school, despite the fact that there were numerous schools owned and managed by Christians. I was greatly interested in the matter then. I felt a need to challenge the status quo and change the narrative. That’s how we found Ar-Rahman Schools in that area. Alhamdulillahi! Our vision came into reality.
“We started then, and twenty-two years later, we started college. Our first set graduated last year. Although the experience has been a rollercoaster, we’ve held onto the values that we represent.
“We train our children to be independent from a very tender age, and that pushes them to strive for excellence. Once they know no one is coming to help them, they don’t leave any stone unturned.”
Now is not the time to compete but to collaborate – Proprietor, Minbar Minds
Proprietor Minbar Minds Schools, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Muili, advised school owners to shun unhealthy competition. He, however, urged them to collaborate for betterment.
He said: “The era of competition is gone. Now is the time to collaborate. We should work hand-in-hand to better ourselves. Recently, a school owner and I got talking. She needed help, and she had to come down to my place. In the cause of helping her, I eventually helped myself because she proffered solutions to a challenge I’ve had in my own school for a while. That’s the kind of relationship we should have ourselves. Let’s all dwell in amity and not enmity.
He lamented the appalling state of some schools and pleaded with their owners to charge well in order to give the best.
“Enough of mushroom schools. What they’re giving the children is very watery. It’s high time we changed the face of Muslim schools. We need to raise individuals who can compete globally. As such, it is pertinent that we give our best, but we can’t do while collecting paltry fees from parents. Hence, schools should charge what will substantiate the value they offer.
“When you give the best to your members of staff, they’ll give you their best. I’ve had firsthand experience over two decades ago.”
Chief Imam, Jamaitu Central Mosque, Magodo, Alhaji Abdul-Semiu Olojeola prayed for the school, its director, members of staff, and everyone.
The occasion was graced by family, friends, well-wishers, school owners, and members of LEAMSP, including Alhaji Taiwo Mikail Tijani TMT of As-Sidiq Schools and Alhaji Raheem Babatunde Fatai RBF.
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