* Initiative targets gender gap, encourages female education in Nigeria
The First Class Muslim Foundation Board has awarded scholarships to 20 first-class female students from universities across the South-West.
The high-achieving female beneficiaries include undergraduates from the University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and Lagos State University (LASU).
The scholarships were awarded to the students at an event held on Sunday in Lagos, where experts from different fields mentored the scholars on “Balancing Faith and Personal Growth” and “Academic Growth Through Consistent Effort,” among other topics.
Scholarships to bridge gender gap, tackle bias against female education: Dr. Ogunmuyiwa
The Chairman of the foundation’s Board of Incorporated Trustees, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, said the scholarship was awarded to the female students in a bid to bridge the educational gender gap and douse long-standing cultural biases against female education.
He explained that investing in women is fundamentally an investment in the nation’s future.
Dr. Ogunmuyiwa challenged the pervasive societal narrative that a woman’s ultimate place is confined strictly to the kitchen, noting that such mindsets hinder national development.
“It is the women, or the ladies, or girls that will become mothers,” he stated. “And mothers are the ones that are going to train the children who are going to be the future of this country. So, if we take care of the womenfolk, then it means we are ensuring that the children for the future are going to be well-trained.”
Addressing the shifting academic landscape, where female students are increasingly outperforming their male counterparts and dominating first-class graduate lists, Dr. Ogunmuyiwa attributed this trend to a growing desire for independence and success among young women.
He noted that past generations of women often faced severe hardships by relying entirely on others for financial stability. Today’s female students, he observed, are determined to secure their own financial independence and growth, understanding that marriage should not truncate personal development.
“A lot of females get their fingers burnt because they relied so much on their husbands, they relied so much on other people, and they are not independent enough to be able to make a living,” Dr. Ogunmuyiwa said.
“And truth be told, everybody is here as an individual, whether male or female, and you should make something out of your life. So, everybody should be given the opportunity to make the best out of living.”
The educationist urged parents to discard outdated biases that limit the academic aspirations or course choices of their daughters.
“Every parent should pay attention to the girl-child,” he urged.
“The truth is that no nation can grow without the girl-child being trained properly. Everybody should be given the opportunity to prove what they can do.”
Speakers at the event included Dr. Ganiyat Tijani-Adenle, Dr. Sikirat Akinremi, Dr. Azeezat Muse-Sadiq, and Dr. Haleemah Olalere.
Dr Adenle urges students to remain rooted in faith
Dr Adenle encouraged the undergraduates to be firmly rooted in their faith while navigating the modern world.
The varsity lecturer also narrated practical ways to embody Islamic values, ethics, and character in everyday life, ensuring that spiritual identity remains a guiding compass through academic and personal journeys.
During her speech, Dr. Akinremi, who was the Guest of Honour, inspired the undergraduates, emphasising the critical societal impact of educating women, celebrating their academic excellence while urging them to view their scholarships as a platform for future leadership and community development.
Dr Muse-Sadiq outlines strategies for balancing faith and personal growth
On her part, Dr. Muse-Sadiq, who spoke on ‘Balancing Faith and Personal Growth’, provided actionable strategies for ambitious students to pursue their professional and personal goals without compromising their religious obligations, showing that faith and personal ambition can mutually reinforce one another.
Dr. Olalere noted that long-term academic excellence is not merely a product of talent, but the result of steady, deliberate, and continuous efforts.
Beneficiaries laud FCM Foundation scholarship
The beneficiaries commended the foundation, describing the mentorship programme and financial support as morale boosters.
One of the beneficiaries, Adefunke Adedeji from the University of Ibadan, said, “Religion should not be a barrier to academic excellence. It should be a motivating factor and an encouragement to be outstanding. The scholarship will help me a lot to achieve greater heights.”
Also, a medical student from OAU, Ganeeyat Adeyemi, urged parents to send their children to school, saying, “Education is a rightful thing to give your kid. Don’t be discouraged by the negative things you hear out there.”
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