The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Lagos State Chapter, has officially kicked off its 2026 FOMWAN Week celebration, marking four decades of community service, humanitarian aid and grassroots empowerment.

The week-long event commenced on June 1, 2026, at the State Secretariat, drawing executive members, Islamic scholars, government representatives, and community leaders.

Delivering the opening address on behalf of the Lagos State Amirah, Alhaja Serifat Oluwatoyin Ajagbe, the Naibah-Amirah (Vice President), Alhaja Amudat Mojirade Olanipekun, highlighted the organization’s growth from humble beginning to become Nigeria’s leading umbrella body for Muslim women associations.

This year’s anniversary is guided by the theme: “Tackling Global Socio-Economic and Humanitarian Challenges Arising from Economic Instability, Health Hazards Caused by Climate Change.”

Alhaja Olanipekun praised the National Chairperson for Humanitarian Services and Community Development for selecting a theme that directly confronts modern adversities, including geopolitical conflicts, insecurity, kidnapping and environmental changes.

“FOMWAN will continue to emphasize continuous advocacy through community development and humanitarian services,” Olanipekun stated. “We believe in planning, because failure to plan is planning to fail. This week is set aside to look back, assess our progress, and project where we want to be.”

To mark its 40-year milestone, FOMWAN showcased an extensive portfolio of community interventions across Lagos State, spanning healthcare, education and social welfare.

The organization announced that its Primary Healthcare Project in Elesan Village, Eti-Osa Local Council, is in its final stages. FOMWAN is currently seeking ₦350 million in funding to complete the construction of the facility.

“The FOMWAN Humanitarian Committee recently donated bedding and toiletries to the Ikeja and Lagos Island General Hospitals, alongside essential food items to the Girls Correctional Centre in Idi-Araba and the Boys Correctional Centre in Sabo.”
 
FOMWAN has successfully installed 26 boreholes across various water-scarce communities in Lagos, conducting routine maintenance checks, particularly on World Water Day.

“We partnered as a stakeholder with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), FOMWAN provides rehabilitation referrals to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Yaba, alongside marital counselling services and vocational training for vulnerable demographics,” she noted.

She attributed much of FOMWAN grassroots success to strong institutional alliances.  “The organization continues to collaborate with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to combat mass illiteracy, HIV/AIDS and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).”

Naibah-Amirah expressed deep gratitude to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, for his unwavering support of the organization’s vision. She also commended FOMWAN’s founding mothers, local government Amirahs and sister organizations for keeping the vision alive for 40 years.

The Humanitarian Services and Community Development, Alhaja Khairat Sodique, announced that the 2026 FOMWAN Week will be celebrated across all state chapters from June 1 to 7, 2026. She noted that this year’s edition is particularly unique as it marks the association’s 40th anniversary.

Alhaja Sodique urged the state Amirahs to highlight the week’s activities and showcase the association’s impact since its inception, specifically emphasizing achievements in vocational training and community development. She also encouraged chapters to exhibit items produced by participants during these training sessions.

According to her, the scheduled itinerary features Days 2, 3 and 4 dedicated to general training sessions in various fields chosen by the participants, running alongside ongoing visitations to public institutions.

She explained further, “Day 5 (Friday) is reserved for special, simultaneous Juma’at prayers across all states. Day 6 (Saturday) will feature a commemorative anniversary symposium and Day 7 (Sunday), the grand finale of the week-long celebration. ”

She implored every state chapter to put forward their best efforts and ensure seamless cooperation to make the landmark anniversary a success.