In a major effort to elevate standards of administration, environmental sanitation, and health across places of worship, the Mosque Guidance and Development Lagos Initiative (MGDLI) has announced a three-day anniversary programme designed to transform mosque management across Lagos State.

Scheduled to run from Friday, October 30, to Sunday, November 1, 2026, the event will take place at the Lagos State Old Secretariat Mosque Hall (Ayinke Hall), Shamsi Adisa Thomas Central Mosque, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

Themed “Building Better Mosques: Documentation, Good Governance and Hygienic Environment,” the initiative aims to equip Imams, mosque committees and Islamic administrators with practical tools to strengthen institutional record-keeping, improve financial transparency, ensure environmental health and enhance worshipper welfare.

The anniversary programme, spearheaded by the Planning Committee under the leadership of Chairman Alhaji Hakeem Bello, integrates spiritual, health, practical and educational sessions across its three-day span.

“Day 1 Activities kick off at 1:00 PM with an Anniversary Jumu’ah service featuring special prayers for MGDLI, mosques and the broader Muslim Ummah. Following the service, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) will conduct a free medical outreach offering general health screenings, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, health counseling and medical referrals. The day will also feature media interactions with the organisers.

“ Day 2 morning sessions open at 9:00 AM with a hands-on workshop led by Hajia Owolarafe Haulat, Founder of the Haulat Pola Foundation and mosque sanitation advocate from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. She will facilitate a practical demonstration on mosque cleaning, sanitation and hygiene standardisation. Between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, MGDLI will distribute 100 first-aid kits to attending mosque representatives alongside emergency preparedness training.

“Day 3 flagship session commences at 9:00 AM with a keynote address by prominent Islamic scholar Prof. Saheed Olurotimi Timehin of Lagos State University (LASU), focusing on “Mosque Documentation and Hygiene. The Foundation for Sustainable Islamic Development.Chaired by legal icon and community advocate Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, the event will feature an expert panel discussion with Hon. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, Alhaji Oladimeji Animashaun, Alhaji Adegbenga Ojikutu and Alhaji Taiwo Olapade. The anniversary concludes with a faith-based hospitality and halal networking session at 1:00 PM, anchored by Hajia Maryam Mobolanje Sanni-Awe, Founder of Glazing Memoirs.”

MGDLI is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving mosque administration, capacity building and infrastructure development across Lagos State through workshops, training and strategic partnerships with government agencies and community stakeholders.

According to MGDLI Chairman, Alhaji Musoddiq Adele Sanni and Anniversary Planning Committee Chairman, Alhaji Hakeem Bello, the initiative reflects a concerted push to modernise religious institutions.

“Our vision is to see mosques operate as well-managed centres of worship, learning, community engagement and social development,” noted MGDLI leadership. “Through proper documentation, sound governance and strict hygiene protocols, we can build stronger mosques and, ultimately, a stronger society.”

The initiative invites Imams, mosque trustees, scholars, Islamic organisations, philanthropists and the general public to attend and support the event as MGDLI pursues its core vision: “Better Mosques, Stronger Communities, A Brighter Tomorrow.”