The University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) has disbursed N14.2 million in scholarships to 23 students of the institution as part of its support for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The cheques were presented on Wednesday during UMA’s 36th Annual General Meeting/Congress, held at the UNILAG Mosque Islamic Centre.
Muslim News gathered that the annual meeting was attended by Muslim alumni of the foremost institution, many of whom now hold top positions in diverse sectors including education, engineering, politics, media, finance, including the newly inducted graduates of the year 2025.
Speaking at the event with the theme ’Entrepreneurship opportunities and retirement planning’, UMA National President, Dr. Mumini Alao, said the scholarship followed recommendations by the Scholarship Committee.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) approved this support, and the beneficiaries are here today to receive their cheques,” he said.
Dr. Alao also announced the NEC’s approval of N1 million to the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), UNILAG branch, to assist indigent students with tuition fees.
“This allocation will be disbursed by the MSSN under the supervision of their student adviser, Professor Shakirudeen Odunuga,” he added.
Dr. Alao briefed participants that standing and ad-hoc committees of the alumni association have been reconstituted for effective service delivery.
“The Scholarship Committee is now headed by Professor Luqman Adams; Pre-Ramadan Lecture Committee headed by Engr. Abdulfatai Bakare; Da’wah Committee is led by Imam Nojeem Jimoh; and the Publicity Ad-hoc Committee is led by Dr. Ganiyat Tijani-Adenle.
“We have also inaugurated a new Membership Ad-hoc Committee headed by Alhaji Muftau Tijani to collate data for effective membership mobilisation and management,” according to the National President.
To launch Takaful scheme for members
Speaking further at the congress, Dr. Alao unveiled the plan of the association to institute a Takaful Group Insurance Scheme for members, adding engagements are ongoing with Takaful insurance organisations for the initiative.
“At the time of this report, our Welfare Secretary, Professor Taofeeqat Adesalu, has received proposals from three Takaful insurance organisations. These proposals are being evaluated by an ad-hoc committee that will make a recommendation to the National Executive Council.
“The generality of members are hereby informed to be on the lookout for the modalities of the scheme. We hope that everyone will embrace and subscribe to the scheme when it comes on stream,” he said.
A major highlight of the 36th Annual General Meeting and Congress of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) was the keynote session on ‘Entrepreneurship Opportunities and Retirement Planning’, featuring three seasoned experts and professionals.
The first speaker, Dr. Ahmed Popoola, a highly accomplished banker, accountant and MD/CEO of CRC Credit Bureau Limited, urged both young graduates and senior professionals to begin retirement planning from the moment they start working.
Delivering a keynote address on ‘Retirement Planning for Senior Professionals and Young Graduates’, Dr. Popoola said retirement preparation must go beyond finances to include health, asset management, social bonds, and legacy.
The second speaker, the Chief Executive Officer of Arabel, Nigeria’s first Islamic store, Hajia Shareefah Abiola Andu, emphasised the importance of networking to the success of entrepreneurial endeavours.
Addressing the topic, ‘Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Current Government Policies for Young Graduates’, who is the first female and current Chairman of Lekki Phase 1 Residents Association in Lagos, urged young Nigerians to develop strong networking skills and establish proper business structures to succeed as entrepreneurs.
The programme also featured a presentation from a consultant and family physician with Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Ikeja, Dr. Sakeenah Odunaye-Badmus, who called on Nigerians to prioritise healthy diets and maintain physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing to prevent chronic illnesses.
Dr. Odunaye-Badmus warned that unhealthy habits formed during youthful age could lead to serious health issues later in life.
Other faces at the AGM/Congress
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