– Musa Ahmad Musa, Hafsat Muhammad Sada emerge overall winners
– Each receives ₦5m, electric car worth ₦35m, free Hajj slot
– 12 electric cars, ₦50m consolation prizes awarded to top winners across categories
– It symbolises people’s commitment to peace, education and knowledge: Prof. Zulum
The 2025 edition of the National Qur’an Recitation Competition has come to a remarkable close in Maiduguri, with Borno and Kano States emerging as top performers in the male and female categories respectively.
Musa Ahmad Musa of Borno State won first place in the senior male category with an impressive score of 98.5 percent. He will go on to represent Nigeria at the International Qur’an Memorization Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, next year.
In the female category, Hafsat Muhammad Sada from Kano State secured the overall top position with a 94 percent score, outperforming contestants from across the country.
Muslim News gathered that millions of naira and numerous valuable gifts were splashed on the winners of the 2025 National Qur’an Recitation Competition in recognition of their outstanding performances.
The overall male and female winners each received ₦5 million, a brand-new electric car worth ₦35 million, free Hajj slots, and other valuable prizes. 
In addition to these grand prizes, a total of ₦50 million was set aside as consolation prizes for other top performers in both male and female categories. This included ₦20 million donated by the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda; another ₦20 million from the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni and ₦10 million from the National Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Bukar Dalori.
Furthermore, all first-place winners across the six male and six female categories also received a brand-new electric car each, making a total of 12 vehicles awarded, worth N420 million.
The generous rewards reflect the growing recognition of the Qur’an competition as a prestigious national event and a vital tool for encouraging Qur’anic scholarship and memorisation in Nigeria.
The final results were announced by Professor Abubakar Yelwa, Director of the Centre for Islamic Studies at Usmanu Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, during the closing ceremony held on Saturday at the University of Maiduguri Convocation Arena.
Prof. Yelwa officially declared Musa Ahmad Musa the male champion and Hafsat Muhammad Sada the female champion of the 2025 competition.
The week-long event, marking the 40th edition of the Musabaqah since its inception in 1986, brought together 296 participants from 30 States including the Federal Capital Territory. The next edition, Muslim News gathered, is scheduled to be hosted by the Jigawa State government under the leadership of Mal Umar Namadi, FCA, who recently emerged Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year 2024/2025. 
Gov Zulum congratulates winners, says Borno honoured to host event
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, stated that the successful hosting of the 2025 Qur’anic competition signalled the return of peace to the state.
He noted that the event symbolised the people’s commitment to peace, education, and the pursuit of knowledge.
“To host this milestone 40th edition is not just an honour for Borno State, it is a profound affirmation of our enduring commitment to peace, education and the noble pursuit of knowledge, particularly the divine wisdom contained within the Holy Qur’an,” Governor Zulum said.
“Borno State remains resolute in its mission to rebuild, restore peace and prioritise education, both secular and religious. The successful hosting of this national event is a clear signal to the world. Borno is back, Borno is safe and Borno is a centre for learning and spiritual growth,” he added.
The Governor congratulated the winners and all participants. “To those who have emerged as the ultimate champions in their respective categories, I offer my most profound congratulations. Your success is not merely a victory in a competition, it is a crowning achievement born of countless hours of discipline, commitment, and reverence for the Word of Allah.
“And to every young man and woman who participated, who stood before the judges and recited from the Holy Book, I want you to know that you are all winners. The true spirit of this competition lies not just in the prizes won, but in the noble pursuit of knowledge and the courage to participate.” 
Governor Zulum also expressed appreciation for the support of the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON; his wife, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima; governors and their deputies; royal fathers; Usman Dan Fodio University; and other prominent personalities.
The competition highlighted the depth of talent and commitment to Qur’anic memorisation and recitation across the country.
Six categories for male, female participants
Participants competed across six major categories, each structured according to the level of memorisation and mastery of Tajweed rules. These categories are carefully designed to accommodate contestants at various stages of proficiency, from beginners who are just starting their journey in Qur’anic memorisation to advanced memorizers who have mastered the entire Qur’an with interpretation.
The first category is the memorisation of the entire Qur’an along with Tafsir in Arabic. This is the most advanced level, requiring not only complete memorisation but also deep understanding and interpretation of the Qur’anic verses.
The second category also involves memorising the complete Qur’an but without the Tafsir component. Participants in this category are judged based on their accuracy and application of Tajweed rules.
The third category involves the memorisation of forty Hizb, which is approximately two-thirds of the Qur’an. 
The fourth category requires participants to memorise twenty Hizb, which is roughly one-third of the Qur’an. These intermediate categories are designed for students who are progressing in their memorisation journey but have not yet completed the entire text.
The fifth category focuses on the memorisation of ten Hizb, suitable for those who have covered about five Juz.
Lastly, the sixth category is centred on Juz Amma, the final section of the Qur’an, and is typically for beginners and younger contestants who are just starting their memorisation journey.
Each of these categories is contested separately by male and female participants. Judges evaluate them based on memorisation accuracy, adherence to Tajweed rules, and the quality of their recitation.
The event was attended by Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima; the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Dikko Umoru Radda; the Sokoto State Deputy Governor; the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; other traditional rulers; members of the National and State Assemblies; the APC Deputy National Chairman; commissioners; Islamic scholars; and other dignitaries. 
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