Adamu, Hafiz, other Academia titans grace Muslim lecturers’ conference, chart path for national renewal

KANO, Nigeria

The NorthWest University, Kano, was the epicenter of a major intellectual and policy discourse as the Muslim Lecturers Association (MLA) convened its 2nd Annual National Research Conference, drawing a constellation of the nation’s most influential leaders from the traditional, academic, and political spheres.

The high-profile event, held from November 3rd to 6th, 2025, under the theme “Leveraging Research and Collaboration for Sustainable Economic Diversification and Societal Transformation,” served as a powerful declaration of MLA’s emergence as a principal advocate and key player in Nigeria’s quest for sustainable development.

The occasion was chaired by Professor Hafiz Abubakar, a former Deputy Governor of Kano State and an esteemed academic, whose leadership underscored the collaborative spirit between academia and public service. The gathering was also honoured by the presence of former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Ádámù Rasheed who delivered the conference lead presentation.

In his welcome address, the MLA President, Professor Ahmed Adedeji, framed the association’s mission in grand, strategic terms. He outlined MLA’s journey from a nascent vision in 2014 to a formidable national institution with over 1,014 registered members, poised to influence Nigeria’s developmental trajectory.

“The MLA now stands as both a beacon and a structure, guiding and galvanizing academic excellence nationally,” Prof. Adedeji stated. “Our association is contributing to national policy dialogue, building transformative research networks, and fostering an ethical revival within academia.”

The intellectual core of the conference was a compelling lead paper presented by Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, mni, FNAL, a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano. Titled “Reclaiming the Research Mission of Nigerian Universities,” Prof. Rasheed’s paper was a clarion call for a national reawakening, arguing that without a vibrant research culture, there can be neither innovation nor sustainable development.

He positioned the MLA as a “moral vanguard” in the Nigerian intellectual community, uniquely equipped to bridge the gap between faith, intellect, and ethical governance. “The MLA represents a movement of faith and conscience,” he said, reminding attendees that in Islam, the pursuit of knowledge is a moral and spiritual obligation.

A defining moment of the conference was the official investiture of the inaugural MLA Fellows (FMLA), a title established as the highest professional and academic qualification within the association. The prestigious roster of awardees included eminent personalities such as Prof. Ibrahim A. Gambari, a renowned scholar-diplomat; Prof. Attahiru Jega, former INEC Chairman; Prof. Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State; and Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar of JAMB, among other titans of academia and public service. This move signalled MLA’s intent to set and uphold the highest standards of excellence and integrity.

Further solidifying its role as a holistic development actor, the conference featured a dedicated Halal Awareness Forum, with the Halal Certification Authority (HCA), exploring the role of the halal economy in national development.

With a robust 10-year strategic plan and ambitious initiatives ranging from housing projects and PhD support funds to agricultural value-chain projects, the MLA has positioned itself not merely as a professional association but as a dynamic engine for national transformation.

The convergence of the nation’s top minds under its banner signals a potent new force dedicated to leveraging faith-based ethics, academic rigor, and collaborative action to reclaim Nigeria’s promise.