TMC urges leaders to embrace digital technology for greater impact

* At 33rd annual Lagos State congress

By Maryam Adejoke Bamiro

The Muslim Congress, Lagos State chapter, has called on its leaders and members to strengthen their leadership capacity, embrace emerging technologies and deepen their commitment to service, accountability and continuous learning to achieve greater impact in society.

The call was made at the 33rd Annual State Congress of The Muslim Congress, Lagos State, held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the TMC Da’wah Centre, Ijesha, Lagos State.

The congress, themed “Strengthening Leadership for Greater Impact in the Digital Age,” brought together members of the State Executive in Council, local government and branch executives, patrons, invited sisters’ organisations, stakeholders, guests and members of the media.

The event featured the presentation of the annual administrative report, a lecture on leadership and digital technology by the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Lagos, Professor Abdulhameed Sulaimon Adeola, addresses by TMC leaders, presentation of awards to outstanding local governments and updates on the organisation’s welfare, empowerment and community initiatives.

TMC reviews achievements, challenges

In his welcome address, Waali (Coordinator) of The Muslim Congress, Lagos State, Mall. Tajudeen Yuusuf Olusesi, described the congress as an opportunity to review the organisation’s achievements, examine its weaknesses and plan for greater impact.

“Our gathering today is much more than an annual organisational event. It is an opportunity to look backward, inward and forward,” Olusesi said, quoting Qur’an 59:18 to emphasise self evaluation and accountability.

He said TMC Lagos had recorded progress in Da’wah, education, welfare, empowerment and community development under its DEWEP agenda, with a presence in 121 branches and plans to expand its grassroots structure.

Olusesi highlighted progress in Islamic and Arabic education, youth development, skills empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure and mosque projects.

He also cited TMC’s public lectures, advocacy and community programmes on good governance, national values, responsible citizenship and social development.

The Waali disclosed that TMC had also honoured a former JAMB Registrar in 2026 for dedicated service to the country.

He identified limited finances, inadequate infrastructure and logistics, coordination gaps and growing welfare demands as challenges facing the organisation, calling for stronger membership mobilisation, sustainable funding, strategic partnerships and investment in technology.

Olusesi said TMC leaders must combine “competence with character, innovation with integrity and digital skills with taqwa.” He also stressed internal accountability, saying, “We cannot demand accountability from government at all levels while failing to practise accountability within our own organisation.”

TMC highlights welfare and empowerment initiatives

Muslim News gathered that the congress also featured updates on TMC’s key initiatives, including Formal Global Exports, welfare support and legal assistance for prisoners without legal representation.

The Formal Global Exports initiative, introduced by TMC patron, Prince Saheed Lasisi, has been registered and licensed, while members have received training on partnerships and purchasing.

TMC is expected to provide financial support for farms and training for committed members.

The organisation also highlighted its welfare system, through which members in need receive discreet assistance, as well as its legal support for prisoners without access to legal representation.

Don urges leaders to embrace technology

Speaking on the theme, Professor Abdulhameed Adeola Sulaimon described leadership as influence and urged Muslim leaders to align their work with the realities of the digital age.

“Leadership is simply influence,” Prof. Sulaimon said, explaining that leadership also involves decision making, service, responsibility, vision, direction, courage and responsiveness.

“To achieve any results, use digital technology,” he said, noting that digitalisation had made communication, access to information and the execution of tasks faster and easier.

Prof. Sulaimon, who disclosed that he uses ChatGPT in his work, including for generating images, urged TMC leaders to identify useful digital platforms rather than attempting to use every available platform.

“AI is a tool we can all use. Social media outlets are plenty, but we should pick the ones we can use,” he said.

The lecturer also urged Muslim leaders to continually learn and broaden their competence.

“As leaders of the Ummah, you must be a generalist. Learn all the time to see what you can improve, and widen your competence,” he said.

He described leadership as a trust and urged leaders to invest in intellectual development, adapt to technological change and prepare successors.

Amir identifies membership, finance and technology as priorities

In his address, Amir of The Muslim Congress, Alhaji AbdulWasiu Taiwo Bangbala, commended the impressive attendance and urged members to continue working towards fulfilling the organisation’s mandate.

Bangbala, who was represented by the Head of the Centre for Global Peace Initiatives, Alhaji Saheed Aderogba Gbadebo, identified membership mobilisation, finance and emerging technologies as key priorities.

He urged TMC to expand its membership drive through online platforms, noting that digital channels could help the organisation reach more people, propagate Islam and increase its impact.

On finance, Bangbala called for creative approaches to fundraising through donations, investment and profitable businesses to provide sustainable resources for TMC programmes.

He also urged TMC to embrace artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to improve its online presence, efficiency and reach.

“The adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can greatly improve our online presence and also help us scale the reach and impact of our work,” he said.

Bangbala further called for investment in human capacity, saying TMC could use available digital resources to improve the effectiveness of its work and provide greater support to communities.

Patron calls for digital strategy to reach young Muslims

Speaking with Muslim News, one of the patrons of The Muslim Congress, Lagos State, Dr. Bashir Adegboyega, described the congress and annual report as impressive, while noting that there was room for improvement.

Dr. Adegboyega said the theme was particularly relevant to the growing influence of digital and social media among young Muslims. He urged TMC to combine traditional physical engagement with digital platforms to expand its membership.

“It is not like they are pushing back or resisting the message. They want to hear the message, but they want to hear the message on a medium they are used to,” he said.

He said adapting its methods of engagement would help TMC connect with more young Muslims and increase its impact in Lagos State.

The congress provided a platform for TMC Lagos to review its activities, recognise outstanding performance, identify organisational challenges and set priorities around leadership, membership, financing and digital transformation.