Egbewole hails Qur’an memorisation contest
By Mustafa Abubakar
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has described the 4th Inter-University Qur’an Memorisation Competition and the Merit Award for Distinguished Servants of the Qur’an organised by the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, as a moment of spiritual rejuvenation and intellectual refinement for Nigerian universities.
Speaking last Monday (January 26, 2026) at the event, Prof. Egbewole, represented by the Director of the Centre for International Education, Prof. Lateef Onireti, emphasised that the gathering was more than a ceremonial convergence, but a celebration of the Qur’an as a divine guidance, a moral compass, and a foundation for building upright individuals and a just society.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the commitment of young men and women to memorising the Qur’an in contemporary times marked by moral distractions and material pressures was a beacon of hope for the future of the Muslim Ummah.
He added that universities are not only centres for the acquisition of worldly knowledge but also institutions for shaping character and values.
Prof. Egbewole commended Al-Hikmah University for sustaining an initiative that harmonises academic pursuit with spiritual growth and noted that the Distinguished Servants of the Qur’an Award symbolises society’s appreciation of selfless individuals who have dedicated their resources, time, and energy to teaching, preserving, and propagating the Qur’an.
He urged parents, teachers, and religious institutions to continue providing enabling environments for youths to learn, memorise, and live by the Qur’an, stressing that sincere effort attracts divine reward beyond material prizes.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Prof. Lateef Folorunsho Oladimeji, described the competition as a testament to the enduring importance of Qur’anic education in Nigerian universities.
Prof. Oladimeji pointed out that such initiatives nurture memorisation skills, cultivate discipline, resilience, and ethical awareness among students, and promote intellectual and spiritual enrichment. He praised the Centre for Islamic Heritage for reviving the competition after a six-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and commended the awardees for their exemplary contributions to Qur’anic memorisation and teaching across Nigeria.
Prof. Oladimeji urged other stakeholders—parents, educators, and religious institutions—to continue supporting initiatives that combine faith, scholarship, and moral development.
He added that recognising distinguished servants of the Qur’an inspires the younger generations to emulate their dedication and ensures the preservation and promotion of Islamic heritage.
Earlier, the Director of the Centre for Islamic Heritage, Al-Hikmah University, Dr Nafiu Ahmed Arikewuyo, welcomed participants and guests, expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to host more than 20 universities from northern and southern Nigeria.
He noted that the competition, now in its 4th edition, included expanded participation and introduced the Distinguished Servant of the Qur’an Award, bestowed on Hon. Afees Adelowo Jimoh Onaara and Mr Ibrahim Atanda for their outstanding contributions to Qur’anic education.
The grand finale also celebrated the brilliance and devotion of the participants. A female medical student from Igbinedion University, Firdaws Idris, and an Engineering student of Bayero University, Kano, Sodiq Ahmed AbdulRahman, emerged as winners of Categories A and B, respectively.
Other top performers included Abdulmuneen Abubakar Al-Imam (Al-Hikmah University), Ziyadatul Khayr Al-Ameen (University of Ilorin), Atukale AbdulQadir Olarewaju (University of Lagos), and Sheriffdeen AbdulRaheem Akin (University of Abuja).
The event was later attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, and other Principal Officers of the University; the GrandKhadi of the Sharia Court, Kwara State, Justice Abdullateef Muhammad Kamaldeen; Deans, Directors of Centres, senior academics, Islamic scholars from Al-HikmahUniversity and other Islamic Schools; jurists, traditional rulers, parents, guardians, and representatives of the participating universities.
The grand finale blended scholarship, spirituality, and celebration, leaving participants and guests inspired by the power of the Qur’an to shape minds and morals across Nigeria’s campuses.
