DFA Islamic Edu-Fair rewards students, promotes academic excellence

More than 2,500 participants from 94 schools attend Lagos event as students, teachers call for more editions across Nigeria.

The 2026 DFA Islamic Edu-Fair has attracted more than 2,500 participants from 94 schools across Lagos State, with students, teachers and school representatives describing the initiative as impactful and calling for more editions to expand its reach across Nigeria.

The event, held on Wednesday, October 21, at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, featured competitions, exhibitions, teacher development sessions and recreational activities designed to promote Islamic education, academic excellence, talent discovery and character development.

Organised by DFA TV, the Edu-Fair brought together students, teachers, parents, school representatives, facilitators, exhibitors and other stakeholders for a day of learning, healthy competition and networking.

Activities included the Dr Muiz Banire Qur’an Competition, Spelling Bee, Arabic Pick and Speak, English Pick and Speak, Taekwondo displays, the Teachers’ Mind Hub, exhibitions, vendor activities and the DFA Mobile Cinema.

Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to showcase their abilities, learn new skills and interact with others in an environment that combined educational development with Islamic values.

DFA TV CEO speaks on growing interest
Speaking after the event, the Chief Executive Officer of DFA TV, Alhaji Jubril Folami, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and appreciated the participating schools, students, teachers, parents, facilitators, volunteers, partners and sponsors for contributing to its success.

Folami said the response to the Edu-Fair had been encouraging, particularly as enquiries and calls for similar initiatives had begun coming from outside Lagos.

He disclosed that individuals and groups in Ibadan, Abuja and Abeokuta had expressed interest in hosting similar programmes after learning about the event and its impact.

“Alhamdulillah, we are deeply grateful to Almighty Allah for the success of the DFA Islamic Edu-Fair 2026. The happiness, excitement and appreciation expressed by participants are a great source of encouragement to us,” he said.

“What is particularly inspiring is that people outside Lagos, including those in Ibadan, Abuja and Abeokuta, are already expressing interest and calling for similar initiatives after seeing what we have achieved.”

According to him, the growing interest reflects the need for platforms that recognise children’s talents, promote Islamic education, empower teachers and bring communities together around positive values.

“This shows that there is a genuine need for platforms that celebrate our children’s talents, promote Islamic education, empower teachers and bring communities together around positive values. We are encouraged by the response, and we hope to build on this success to reach even more schools and young people in the future,” Folami added.

He also acknowledged the support of the event’s major sponsor, MTN, alongside other partners and supporters, noting that their contributions strengthened the delivery and visibility of the programme.

Schools, students emerge winners in competitions

One of the major highlights of the Edu-Fair was the recognition of outstanding students and schools across the various competitions, with winners receiving prizes in recognition of their preparation and performances.

In the Dr Muiz Banire Qur’an Competition, At Tanzil College emerged first and received ₦500,000, while Afubram Private School came second with ₦250,000. Qudratullahi International Schools placed third and received ₦150,000.

In the Spelling Bee, Talim Academy took first place, followed by Zahriaban Scholars in second position and Al Haqq Schools in third.

Noble Mind Schools emerged winner of the English Pick and Speak competition, while Scholars School and Taalim Academy came second and third, respectively.

In the Arabic Pick and Speak category, Barakatudeen emerged first, followed by As Salaam Madrasah and Madrasah tul Riyadh Quran in second and third positions, respectively.

The organisers congratulated the winners and commended all participating schools and students for demonstrating courage, discipline, commitment and a willingness to learn.

They also noted that participation itself was an achievement, as the competitions provided students with opportunities to challenge themselves, build confidence and discover their potential.

Teachers, media activities enrich programme

Beyond the competitions, the Teachers’ Mind Hub provided a platform for educators to exchange ideas, engage experienced facilitators and reflect on ways to improve teaching and learning.

The DFA Mobile Cinema also added a media and entertainment dimension to the programme, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to using media to educate, inspire and positively engage audiences.

The organisers described the event’s success as a collective achievement, acknowledging the contributions of the Nucleus Team, volunteers, facilitators, participating schools, exhibitors, vendors and others who worked behind the scenes.

DFA TV eyes wider reach

With calls for more editions emerging from within and outside Lagos, DFA TV said it remained committed to building on the experience and exploring opportunities to expand the initiative’s reach and impact.

The organisation described the Edu-Fair as a platform where faith meets knowledge, young talents receive recognition, educators find inspiration and students are encouraged to pursue excellence while upholding sound moral values.

It expressed hope that future editions would attract wider participation and stronger partnerships, extending the benefits of the initiative to more communities across Nigeria.

“The Edu-Fair may be over, but the impact, memories and inspiration it has created will continue. Our prayer is that Allah accepts the efforts of everyone who contributed and grants us the opportunity to do even more for the advancement of education and the development of our children,” the organisers said.

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