Get Guardian on GoogleAlhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, has been elected President of the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN).
Ebiti succeeds Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, FCS, whose six-year tenure ended at the organisation’s 11th General Assembly held in Ibadan, Oyo State. The leadership transition was announced by Oladejo, who also chairs MUSWEN’s Shurah Committee.
In the restructured executive council, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike emerged as Deputy President, taking over the role previously occupied by Ebiti, while a former chief executive of Trade Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba, was named Deputy President II.
In his acceptance speech, Ebiti described leadership of the Ummah as an amanah (sacred trust) rather than a platform for personal gain, pledging an administration anchored on consultation, accountability, transparency and inclusiveness.
Outlining his policy priorities, the new MUSWEN President emphasised a dual focus on Islamic scholarship and modern professional excellence, noting that there is no conflict between sound religious knowledge and contemporary fields such as science, medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence and robotics.
“Poverty must never block a talented child,” Ebiti declared, announcing plans to deepen partnerships with Islamic universities, including Crescent, Fountain, Al-Hikmah and Summit to expand scholarships, teacher training, and digital literacy, particularly for indigent students, girls and persons with disabilities.
On economic empowerment and social welfare, Ebiti vowed to professionalise the MUSWEN Endowment Fund into a permanent institutional asset and overhaul the administration of Zakat and Waqf to move recipients from dependency to sustainable livelihoods.
Addressing national politics and security ahead of the 2027 general elections, he urged Muslims to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate peacefully in the electoral process, while rejecting vote-buying, hate speech and violence. He also condemned terrorism, kidnapping, and mob justice, expressing support for intelligence-driven, constitutionally grounded decentralised policing and sustained interfaith harmony across the South-West.
Earlier, the Chairman of MUSWEN’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN, urged Muslims across the South-West to take collective ownership of the organisation’s financial sustainability rather than relying solely on wealthy philanthropists.
Drawing from his experience revitalising his alma mater, where alumni raised N5 billion largely through modest, recurring standing orders Babalakin encouraged ordinary members to set up direct debits of N1,000, N2,000, or N5,000 monthly. “Waiting for the big donors, they may have donor fatigue, and you may not get all the money you require,” he noted, adding that transparency and accountability remain the true catalysts for unlocking funding.
Both Babalakin and the outgoing president, Alhaji Oladejo, stressed that the Ummah must place education and information technology at the forefront of its development agenda to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, congratulated the incoming executives and commended Oladejo for six years of impactful service.
Highlighting his unbroken attendance at every MUSWEN General Assembly since the body’s inception in 2008, the Sultan praised Ebiti’s long-standing dedication to the council and pledged the NSCIA’s close collaboration with the new leadership.
The assembly attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, and Islamic leaders. Among those in attendance or represented were the Secretary-General of the NSCIA and former JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, CON; former Minister of Communications, Barrister AbdulRaheem Adebayo Shittu and the Galadiman Garin Sokoto, HRH Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru Galadanci.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, was represented by the Chairman of the Ondo State Muslim Welfare Board, Engr. Adam Zikrullah Chandy, alongside representatives of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. Traditional rulers at the event included the Olowu of Owu Kingdom and President-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, HRM Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, and the Alara of Ilara Kingdom and Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), HRM Oba Folarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo.
