Get Guardian on GoogleAs The Criterion (Association of Muslim Women in Business and the Professions) marks four decades of existence, the faith-based organisation is expanding its traditional humanitarian and educational interventions to prepare young Nigerians for an increasingly digital and Artificial Intelligence-driven future.
Founded 40 years ago to unite Muslim women across diverse professional and entrepreneurial spheres, the association has spent the last four decades translating Islamic ethical principles into tangible community development.
Speaking during activities commemorating the milestone anniversary, leaders of the association reaffirmed their commitment to tackling pressing social vulnerabilities, ranging from educational deficits to youth substance abuse.
Over the years, the group’s footprint has been most visible in underserved communities where basic social infrastructure remains scarce.
Highlighting some of the organisation’s landmark interventions, representatives noted that The Criterion constructed and handed over a block of six classrooms in an unserved community that previously had no school facility, opening doors to formal education for local children.
In the healthcare sector, the association has prioritised maternal and community health by donating critical medical equipment to public facilities, including the Mother and Child Hospital in Lekki, Lagos and a public hospital in Karshi, Abuja.
Speaking on the significance of the milestone, the International Amirah of The Criterion, Shakirat Omolara Shekoni, noted that the 40-year journey reflects the enduring power of collective purpose among Muslim women professionals.
“Reaching 40 years is both a moment of gratitude and a renewed call to service. From the very beginning, our vision has been to ensure that our professional attainments and Islamic values translate directly into upliftment for the vulnerable, whether by putting a roof over pupils who had no classrooms or equipping hospitals that care for mothers and children,” Shekoni stated.
While physical infrastructure and medical outreach remain central to its mission, The Criterion is pivoting toward addressing modern behavioural and technological threats confronting adolescents and young adults. Through structured mentorship clinics, the association regularly engages young people on resisting negative peer pressure and combating drug abuse.
More recently, the Organisation, Abuja branch has incorporated digital literacy into its youth curriculum to counter the adverse effects of unregulated internet exposure and emerging technologies.
Explaining the urgency of this digital shift, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Amirah of The Criterion, Hajia Adeola Balure, stressed that young Muslims must be guided to harness technology constructively rather than fall prey to its pitfalls.
“Today’s young people live in a hyper-connected, remote environment where Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence shape how they think and interact. While these tools carry risks if misused, our responsibility is to equip our youth with sound moral grounding and digital literacy so they imbibe only what is positive and productive from modern technology,” Balure explained.
With active districts spanning Lagos, Abuja, Kwara, Osun, Oyo, and an international chapter in Ghana, The Criterion enters its fifth decade aiming to blend spiritual values with practical socio-economic empowerment, ensuring that both women and youth are equipped to thrive responsibly in a rapidly evolving society.
