* Education, tech key to women’s empowerment: Fountain Varsity VC
The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has attributed Nigeria’s growing social challenges to a breakdown in moral values and poor parenting, urging citizens to recommit to raising God-fearing and disciplined children.
Dr. Hamzat made the call during the formal opening of the 13th National and 4th International Conference of The Criterion, an association of Muslim women in business and the professions, held at Orchid Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
Muslim News gathered that the conference, themed “Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Muslim Women Overcoming Economic and Social Challenges”, attracted Muslim leaders, scholars, professionals, and youth from across Nigeria and beyond.
The opening ceremony was co-chaired by Barrister (Ustaz) Zikrullah Olakunle Hassan, former Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and Distinguished Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who currently represents Lagos West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Declaring the event open, Dr. Hamzat said no nation can rise above the moral quality of its citizens, stressing that the most important unit in any society is the family, and if that is broken, then everything is lost.
He added that the future of the nation lies with the youth, and called on families to instil in children core values such as respect, honesty, and hard work.
“If we don’t make conscious efforts to develop and train them on our culture, beliefs, and value system, then the nation will run into trouble,” he warned.
Families must be held together
Dr. Hamzat stressed the urgent need to prioritise family stability over the pursuit of individual milestones, warning that the erosion of family values is fuelling rising criminality among youths.
He cited cases of young people engaging in ritual killings and cybercrime, saying, “It is no longer just about breaking glass ceilings; it’s about holding the family together.”
The Deputy governor noted that every strong society is built on solid homes and responsible parenting, urging faith-based and professional organisations like The Criterion to continue collaborating with government on initiatives that promote family values, women empowerment, and leadership development.
Government efforts to address challenges
Dr. Hamzat also highlighted efforts by the Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Women Affairs and the Employment Trust Fund, to address challenges facing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He revealed that data indicates 79% of successful businesses in the state are owned by women, a factor that has informed the government’s sustained focus on empowering female entrepreneurs.
“We don’t just offer grants; we provide training in areas like bookkeeping, employee management, and access to capital, so that these businesses can grow sustainably,” he said.
Education, tech key to women’s empowerment: Fountain Varsity VC
Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Oshogbo, Prof. Olayinka Karim, in her keynote address, said that education and digital empowerment are essential tools for Muslim women to transcend societal, economic and cultural barriers.
Speaking through Alhaja Suwebat Kupolati, former World Women Affairs Secretary of NASFAT, Prof. Karim noted that the gathering was an opportunity for women to grow in knowledge, faith, and leadership.
She described education as the foundation of empowerment, adding that technology enables women to “learn, innovate and lead from anywhere.”
“Empowering women, especially in sectors like agriculture and fisheries, as Islam encourages, means empowering families, communities and the entire nation,” she said.
Prof. Karim stressed that digital literacy is both a religious responsibility and a national necessity, calling for investment in affordable internet, digital tools, and STEM education for women and girls.
“When a woman learns, she lifts a generation,” she added.
On economic instability, unemployment and moral decline in Nigeria, the don said that women must revive faith-driven cultural models promoting community, charity, hard work and modesty.
She said that breaking the glass ceiling should not be rebellion, but a revelation.
“It is about rediscovering the purpose Allah placed within every woman – to nurture, to lead, to enlighten and to build.”
Earlier, the International Ameerah of the Criterion, Alhaja Medinat Akanni, said that the theme of the conference was apt and resonated with the present economic situation facing women all over the world,
Akanni said that the aim of the association was to encourage, promote and foster the spirit of Islamic sisterhood, peace, development and economic stability.
“The theme of the event illustrates the economic situation facing women not only in Nigeria but the world at large,” she said.
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