Respected Islamic leader and rights advocate, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, has been recognised with the “Lifetime Service to Islam Award” by Muslim News Nigeria, the country’s leading Islamic newspaper.
The announcement was made on Friday, November 14, 2025, by the publication’s founder and award convener, Alhaji Rasheed Abubakar, who described the Ibadan-born activist as a consistent voice for the Ummah for over four decades.
Alhaji Sanni currently serves as the Chairman of the Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUCOYS), a position that places him at the heart of Muslim affairs in one of Nigeria’s most politically active states.
According to Alhaji Abubakar, his selection was based on his outstanding decades record of activism, leadership, and community service.
“Alhaji Kunle Sanni’s contribution to the growth and protection of Islam in Nigeria dates back to the early 1980s when he co-founded the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), then known as COMYO,” Abubakar said, adding, “The organisation became the umbrella body for all Muslim youth groups, advocating for Muslim rights within the Southwest and Nigeria at large.”
As a career da’iyah (caller), Alhaji Sanni has been vocal against discriminatory policies targeting Muslims, particularly in the education and governance sectors. His fearless activism which started from higher institution of learning sometimes comes at great personal cost, including the loss of employment during one of the notable religious freedom struggles in Oyo State.
He led impactful advocacies on hijab rights for Muslim ladies, Hijrah holiday, inclusion of Muslims in politics and governance (such as Goodluck Jonathan lopsided National Confab), among others.
Fearless, courageous and highly principled, the honouree was instrumental to the establishment of MSSN at his alma mater, Ilora Baptist Grammar School in OyoState, which was deeply rooted in Christian missionary and coerced conversion and forced baptism of Muslims students.
He was a serial ‘offender’ for boycotting Sunday Church service that was mandated on all students during his secondary school days. He was punished almost every Monday by the then Principal for his refusal to attend Church service. The young Kunle Sanni, however, was neither cowed nor got intimidated.
Beyond activism, Alhaji Kunle Sanni is a well-known publisher and distributor of Islamic literatures. He is a successful businessman with offices in Ibadan and Abuja. He previously managed the IMAN Centre under the guidance of the late Alhaji Yisa Yagboyaju before establishing his own ventures.
Widely respected for his integrity and deep commitment to the Ummah, Alhaji Sanni is also regarded as the de facto Amir (leader) of Muslims in Oyo State, harmonising interests across sects and regions while maintaining close ties with religious scholars and community elders nationwide.
The Publisher stated that Alhaji Kunle Sanni’s lifelong efforts in defending Muslim rights, empowering youths, and providing moral leadership made him a natural recipient of this year’s Lifetime Service to Islam Award.
He added that Alhaji Sanni plays a unifying role for Muslims in the state. His inclusive leadership style has earned him widespread respect from Islamic scholars, business leaders, and Muslim organisations across Nigeria.
According to him, “Alhaji Kunle Sanni has done so much for the Ummah that it would be difficult to capture it all. Even at old age and when indisposed, Alhaji Sanni remains a fearless advocate for Muslim rights at all levels.”
Muslim News publisher explained that the Lifetime Service to Islam Award is a newly introduced category of the Muslim News Nigeria Awards, created to honour Muslim elders – male and female, who have offered decades of service to Islam, in addition to the conventional professional award categories.
“These leaders must be recognised for their immense contributions to the defence and celebration of Islam, especially while they are still alive,” Abubakar said. “We are proud to begin with a respected figure like Alhaji Sanni. May Allah reward him in this life and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus in the hereafter.”
Now in its fifth edition, #MNAwards celebrates Muslim achievers across various strata of the society, including politics and good governance, health, education, law, advocacy, philanthropy, among others.
The formal presentation of the award will take place at a yet‑to‑be‑announced date during the newspaper’s 7th anniversary lecture.
Finalists for Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year (#MNAwards20242025)
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