Akogun hails Yahaya’s doctoral feat
By Muizdeen Adewole
The Director of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Mr. Kunle Akogun, has commended a former Head of the Islamic Religion Unit of UNILORIN 89.3FM, Dr Shaykh Ahmad Yahaya, on the successful completion of his doctoral degree programme.
Mr Akogun, who gave this commendation last Thursday (July 23, 2026), described Dr Yahaya’s achievement as a testament to dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence.
“Dr. Yahaya’s feat is both inspiring and deserving of celebration,” Akogun said. “It reflects the kind of intellectual growth we encourage within and beyond the university community. We are proud of him.”
The Director noted that Yahaya’s background in the Directorate and his continued scholarship in the Department of Religions position him to contribute meaningfully to scholarship, interfaith dialogue, and service to society.
He urged other staff of the Directorate to emulate the ex-broadcaster’s commitment to self-development and lifelong learning.
Other products of the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, who are now making waves in the academic cadre are Dr Abdulgafar Arikewuyo and Dr Fatimoh Iyabo Abubakre, both of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin.
Dr Yahaya had last Wednesday (July 22, 2026) defended his doctoral research work, titled, “Principles of Islamic Economics in AL-IQTIṢĀDU’L ‘ISLĀMĪ OF AT-TURKĪ as panacea to the economic crisis in Nigeria”.
In the work, Dr Yahaya suggested the adoption of principles of Islamic Economics as solutions to Nigeria’s economic crisis.He argued that Nigeria’s economic recovery cannot rest on conventional models alone. He proposed a shift toward ethical governance and value-driven policies grounded in Islamic finance and social justice.
Dr Yahaya called for massive investment in human capital through education, health, and skills development, stressing that a productive population is the bedrock of any resilient economy. He also emphasized the need to strengthen ethical leadership, noting that institutional trust cannot thrive without integrity.
He equally advocated economic diversification into agriculture, manufacturing, and technology as he recommended the promotion of Islamic financial instruments such as sukuk, mudarabah, and takaful to broaden access to ethical funding and deepen financial inclusion.
On governance, Dr. Yahaya urged the fight against corruption through reforms that guarantee transparency and accountability. He added that policy should encourage productive investment over rent-seeking, and that government should integrate relevant Islamic economic principles into public policy irrespective of religion, with focus on equity, wealth circulation, and welfare as universal values.
The defense drew dignitaries from both academic and professional circles including a former Head of the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abubakr Imam Ali-Agan; a Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Coordinator, Department of Religions, Kwara State University, Dr Ali Miqdad Ali; a lecturer at the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, Dr. Ibrahim Hanafi Ayara; the Registrar of the Muhammad Kamalud-Deen University, Ilorin,
Engr. Musa Mustapha Kamaldeen; a lecturer at the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Mr Raheem Yahya; and the National Missioner Ansarul-Islam Society of Nigeria, Shaykh Abdulmumin Hanafi Yusuf Ayara Al-Adabiyy, among others.
