The Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has announced plans to award 120 bursaries to deserving students across the region in 2027, as part of efforts to expand access to education and support young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
The outgoing President of MUSWEN, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, disclosed this on Sunday at the organisation’s 11th General Assembly held at the University of Ibadan Mosque Auditorium, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Oladejo said the organisation’s long-term ambition was to increase the number of annual bursary awards to 600, enabling more students to benefit from its educational support programme.
He said the Education Committee would conduct aptitude tests to identify eligible beneficiaries and ensure that the awards were based on merit and established criteria.
“Our long-term ambition is to increase the number of annual bursary awards to 600, thereby extending educational support to more students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds,” he said.
Oladejo appealed to MUSWEN members, philanthropists, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative, describing investment in education as an investment in the future of communities and the nation.
He said education remained a critical instrument for social mobility, human development and community advancement, adding that MUSWEN would continue to support deserving students through its scholarship and bursary programmes.
The outgoing president also announced that 12 female medical students, representing two students from each of the six South-West states, would receive scholarships under the Sultan Abubakar Female Medical Student Scholarship Scheme.
The scholarships were to be presented by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Dr Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at the assembly.
According to Oladejo, the initiative reflects MUSWEN’s commitment to promoting female education and supporting the training of future medical professionals who would contribute to the country’s healthcare sector.
The bursary and scholarship initiatives form part of MUSWEN’s broader educational support efforts under its outgoing leadership.
The organisation’s new president, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, also pledged to prioritise education, economic empowerment and institutional development, including support for indigent students, girls and students with disabilities.
MUSWEN is the umbrella organisation representing Muslims across Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states. It brings together Islamic organisations, professional bodies, community leaders, women and youth groups across the South-West.
