* Alumni association presents ₦24.41m to Zakat beneficiaries and scholars, seeks support for proposed ₦960m hostel
Award-winning sports journalist and columnist, Dr Mumini Alao, has returned as National President of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA), as the association unveiled its new executive at its 37th Annual General Meeting and Elective Congress in Lagos.
Alao, who writes the SoccerTalk column and serves as Executive Consultant at Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports, was returned at the congress held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the University of Lagos Mosque Islamic Centre, Akoka.
Muslim News gathered that the congress featured the presentation of cheques of ₦19.25 million to the 2026 set of UMA scholars and ₦5.16 million to its Zakat beneficiaries.
Other highlights included the presentation of the outgoing executive’s stewardship report, discussions on a proposed ₦960 million student hostel and goodwill messages from alumni leaders.
The well-attended congress, which brought together members both physically and virtually, also featured a guest lecture titled “Unlocking Real Estate Opportunities Amid Lagos State’s Housing Deficit,” delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Engr. Abdulhafis Gbolahan Toriola. The lecture will be covered in a separate report.
New executive emerges
Welcoming guests and members to the congress, the Chairman of the UMA Shurah Committee, Professor Luqman Adams, outlined the process that led to the selection of nominees for the association’s National Executive Council for the 2026 to 2028 tenure, including a review of its constitution, previous nomination forms and candidates’ eligibility.
He said the committee also assessed the outgoing executive’s performance, members’ attendance at meetings and programmes, and their responsiveness to assigned responsibilities. It further consulted Alao and sought the views of elders in council before arriving at its recommendations.
Prof. Adams commended Alao’s leadership, describing his performance as a “yeoman’s job” and a “fantastic job”, before announcing his return as National President.
Professor Shakirudeen Odunuga was named Vice President I for Akoka, while Dr Zainab Shogbesan Yisa emerged as Vice President II for the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. Alhaji Tajudeen Adebanjo will serve as Secretary General, with AbdulHakeem Olubunmi Qazeem as Assistant Secretary General.
Alhaja Dr Bilqees Mopelola Oladunni Muhammad was named Public Relations Officer I for Akoka, while Dr Aminat Adegoke will serve as Public Relations Officer II for the College of Medicine.
Taiwo Kuye, FCA, emerged as Financial Secretary, while Alhaji Muftau Tijani was named Treasurer.
Other officers are Babatunde Jamiu Yusuf as Internal Auditor, Professor Taofeeqah Adesalu as Welfare Officer I for Akoka, Dr Zainab Olaniyan as Welfare Officer II for the College of Medicine, Dr Issa Akanji Adedokun as Legal Adviser, and Dr Ibrahim Ayodele Shittu as Education Officer.
The ex-officio members are Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, and Professor Khalid Adekoya, Director of the University of Lagos School of Foundation Studies.
Alao expresses gratitude to Allah, highlights achievements
In his acceptance remarks, re-elected UMA National President expressed gratitude to Allah, repeatedly saying “Alhamdulillah” before reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Qur’an. He concluded with praises to Allah and prayers and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad.
Earlier, while presenting the outgoing executive’s stewardship report for the 2024 to 2026 tenure, Alao thanked Allah for enabling the National Executive Council to complete its two year term successfully.
“About two years ago, we were given the mantle to steer the ship of our association. We thank Allah that we are berthing the ship today without any loss of life in our ranks,” he said.
Among the achievements highlighted was the UMA retreat held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, from December 5 to 7, 2025, under the theme, “Repositioning UMA: Rekindling Purpose, Expanding Frontiers.” The retreat brought together 45 members representing different organs of the association and four observers from the University of Lagos branch of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria.
The resolutions reached at the retreat were subsequently published in book form to guide implementation and monitoring.
Alao also announced the relaunch of the association’s website to facilitate membership registration, subscription payments and other activities through digital platforms. He encouraged members to visit the website regularly and remain active on the association’s WhatsApp platform.
Scholarship fund records more than ₦100 million
Alao reported that UMA generated more than ₦100 million for its postgraduate scholarship programme in 2025, describing it as the highest income in the programme’s history at the time.
He said the funds enabled the association to award scholarships to 23 beneficiaries in one cycle, while another 28 candidates had been recommended for scholarships worth approximately ₦20 million in 2026.
The association also launched an endowment initiative with a target of ₦750 million for the scholarship fund. Approximately ₦130 million had been accumulated at the time of the report.
On welfare, Alao said UMA relaunched its Zakat and Sadaqat Fund in February 2026, generating more than ₦5 million in contributions. A total of ₦5.16 million was allocated to 23 needy association members, whose identities were kept confidential to protect their dignity.
Proposed student hostel estimated at ₦960 million
Alao identified the proposed student hostel as a major project for the incoming executive. He explained that his administration began exploring options outside the university campus after earlier efforts to partner with the University of Lagos authorities on acquiring, renovating and managing a female hostel were discontinued.
He said the project committee, led by Barrister Abdulfatai Owodunni and Architect A. A. Lawal, inspected properties near the campus that could be acquired, demolished and redeveloped.
A preliminary architectural design was also prepared, with the estimated construction cost put at ₦960 million.
Other welfare and community initiatives
The outgoing president also disclosed that UMA had shortlisted Hilal Takaful Insurance for a proposed group insurance scheme for members.
He said the incoming executive would be expected to formalise the appointment if members found the offer satisfactory.
UMA President further highlighted the association’s weekly Da’wah newsletter, which provides spiritual and professional enlightenment through references to the Qur’an and Hadith.
Alao said UMA had maintained cordial relations with the University of Lagos Muslim Community and the university’s MSSN branch.
The association also supported Ramadan feeding programmes for students, introduced an annual cash grant for MSSN members’ welfare and contributed to send forth ceremonies for graduating students, during which fresh graduates were formally inducted into the alumni association.
Alumni leaders Urge Support for Hostel Project
Several alumni leaders delivered goodwill messages at the congress, commending the outgoing executive and calling for greater support for UMA’s proposed student hostel project.
Professor of Cell Biology and Genetics at the University of Lagos, Professor Khalid Adekoya, praised the association’s President in Council leadership model, saying it promoted unity and continuity.
The immediate past President of the UMA urged the incoming executive to prioritise the hostel project, recalling how the university and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund eventually completed Madam Tinubu Hall after earlier efforts to provide student accommodation.
University of Lagos don, Professor Ismail Ibrahim, expressed confidence in the proposed hostel project and said University of Lagos Consult was open to assisting efforts to advance it.
Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Education District, Alhaja Bilquees Adeokoya, urged members to reach out to inactive alumni and encourage them to reconnect with the association.
She also emphasised parental involvement in education, urged students to shun examination malpractice and advocated separating organic waste from recyclable materials and reusing organic waste for composting.
Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District and former UMA president, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, commended the progress made by the Muslim community at the University of Lagos.
He recalled earlier challenges in accessing worship spaces and observing Friday prayers when examinations were scheduled.
On funding, Salisu referred to discussions about the scale of investment required, including the possibility of raising between ₦200 million and ₦250 million for a building around Akoka, within a broader funding requirement estimated at approximately ₦1 billion.
He stressed that the project should be treated as both a viable investment and a social intervention for students.
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