FROM 2016, the Ilaro, Yewa, Agbonbiti, Ile-Ife and Ikirun communities had pressured the Ahmadiyya Islamic organisation to site a private university in their domains. The traditional rulers of Agbonbiti and Ikirun were in London at different times to meet the world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and get him to approve the location of the university in their respective areas.
Both the Agbonbiti and Ikirun communities provided 500 acres of land. Agbonbiti is located in a remote part of Ile-Ife where access roads and power supply were a challenge. Ikirun was more favoured due to accessibility and infrastructural advantages (Osogbo-Ikirun Expressway and the railway line corridor). Finally, Agbonbiti was designated as a satellite campus for agricultural and farm settlement projects.
The late Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul Rauf Olawale Adedeji II, played a vital role in securing government’s support for the initiative during the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State. All necessary financial obligations were fulfilled for the land allocation for the permanent site beside the Federal Government College, Ikirun.
Minaret University, Ikirun, is among the new private universities recently approved by President Bola Tinubu. The news of the approval was broken on March 3, 2025 after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to the relief of the entire Muslim community and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria in particular.
The coming on stream of the university, owned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria with the blessings of the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, marks a historic achievement for faith-based higher education in Nigeria.
The journey toward Minaret University began in 2016 when the Ibadan circuit of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria proposed the idea at the annual Shoora (consultative meeting). The resolution was subsequently presented by the then Amir (Head), Professor Mashuud Adenrele Fasola (who retired from the Department of Economics, University of Lagos) to the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, during a special meeting at the UK Jalsa Salana (annual Islamic Conference).
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria (AMJN) has a long-standing tradition of pioneering education in Nigeria, dating back to the establishment of the first Muslim primary school, Talimul Islam, Elegbata in Lagos in 1922. Over the decades, the community has expanded its educational footprint with numerous secondary schools, missionary training colleges, technical college and Qur’an memorisation institutions in Ondo, Kano, Nasarawa, Oyo, Osun, Lagos and Ogun states. Most of the secondary schools were donated to various state governments and a few remains with the Ahmadiyya establishment under the “Nusran Jehan-Leap Forward Scheme for Africa.”
It has been a steady growth from primary, secondary, technical, missionary training and Qur’an memorisation centres to a university. This is a trajectory of commitment to faith-based educational development in Benin Republic, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, among others. Establishments of hospitals in Nigeria took same pattern, primary health care centres, clinics to a full-fledged hospitals in Yeosa Village, Oyo North, (Oyo State), Apapa, (Lagos State) Bukuru, Jos, (Plateau State) New Bussa (Niger State), Kano (Kano State) and Ojokoro (Lagos State).
The establishment of Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria, represents the culmination of this rich legacy, positioning Nigeria as a hub for faith-based higher learning. Remarkably, this is the first University to be established by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community globally. Professor Abdul Rahman Abdullah, of Babcock University has been appointed the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University.
There are 45 private universities in Nigeria owned by religious organisations and individuals, 39 by Christian organisations and individuals and six by Muslim organisations and individuals. They are Fountain University, Osogbo (Nasrul’lahi-il Fathi Society, NASFAT); Summit University, Offa (Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria); Al-Hikman University(Abdul Raheem Oladimeji, AROIF, Ilorin); Al-Qalam University (Katsina Islamic Foundation, Katsina); Crescent University (Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA), Abeokuta); Minaret University, Ikirun (Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria ); Bowen University (Nigerian Baptist Convention), Iwo; Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State (Seventh Day Adventist); Anchor University (Deeper Christian Life Ministry), Ayobo, Lagos; Landmark University, Omu Aran (Living Faith Church Worldwide); Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State (Living Faith Church Worldwide); Ajayi Crowther University, 0yo (the Anglican Communion of Nigeria); and Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State.
Akinreti is the Media Lead of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria.
Others are Bingham University, Abuja-Keffi Expressway (Evangelical Church Wining All, ECWA); Mountain Top University, Makogi-Oba, Lagos-Sagamu Expressway (Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries); Redeemer University, Osogbo (the Redeemed Christian Church of God); Benson Idahosa University, Benin (Church of God Mission); Caritas University, Abuja (The Catholic Mission); Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State (The Catholic Mission); Pan African University, Lagos-Epe Expressway (Opus Dei-Catholic); Bishop Godfrey Okoye University (Catholic Diocese of Enugu); St. Augustine University, Epe (The Catholic); Dominican University, Ibadan (Catholic); Spiritian University, Abia State (Catholic), Gregory University, Utua (Catholic); and Saint Paul’s University College (Anglican Communion, Eastern Nigeria).
The rest are Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Erin Ijesha, Osun State (Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide); Samuel Adegboyega University (The Apostolic Faith Church); Wesley University of Science and Technology (Methodist Church of Nigeria); Tansion University (Reverend Msgn John Bosco Akam); Salem University (Fountain Faith Church); Obong University (Church of Christ Nigeria); University of Mkar (Church of Christ in Sudan among the Tivs, NKST); Macpherson University (Four Square Church); Kings University, Ode-Omu (Kings International Christian Centre); Evangel University (Assemblies of God Church); Precious Corner Stone University (Sword of The Spirit Ministries); Hezekiah University (Living
Christ Mission); Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia (Seventh Day Adventist); and Rhema University, Aba (Living Word Ministries International Covenant Union).
Three governors of Osun State have been instrumental in the take-off of Minaret University, Ikirun. Former Governor Rauf Aregbesola ensured that all documentations for land acquisition were done. Ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, then the Chief of Staff to Aregbesola, approved and allocated Akinorun Grammar School, Ikirun, as a temporary take-off site. The Ikirun community was equally supporting towards the realisation of the educational project. Incumbent Governor Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke stepped up all administrative processes and will officially open the university soon.
On March 9, 2021, the foundation-laying ceremony of Minaret University was conducted in Ikirun. The event, attended by personalities from across Nigeria and beyond, was graced by former Governor Oyetola, who commended the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria for its contribution to education and moral development in the country.
Minaret University is a pioneering faith-based institution combining Islamic principles with modern education. It is set to commence with three faculties: Humanities, Sciences and Education, with future expansions planned. Its philosophy integrates moral discipline, practical entrepreneurship training, research excellence and a commitment to community service. The institution aims to produce well-rounded graduates who are job creators, ethical leaders and global citizens.
The approval by the Federal Government followed rigorous accreditation processes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) which assessed the university across thirteen evaluation stages. This milestone places Minaret University among the few institutions receiving licences in 2025, highlighting its adherence to global educational standards.
Stakeholders, including the Osun State government, the NUC, the traditional leadership of Ikirun, opinion leaders, Ikirun Muslim Community, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Worldwide were unwavering in their support towards making this vision a reality. Their contributions have been instrumental in bringing Minaret University, Ikirun, to fruition.
The House of Representatives member for Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe Federal Constituency, Honourable Olusoji Abidemi Adetunji, congratulated the management of Minaret University, Ikirun, as well as the sons and daughters of Ikirun on the newly approved institution
Adetunji described the approval of the university as a great feat. He said, “In every society or nation, quality education is one of the major factors and key elements of growth and stability. We are excited by this great achievement. Establishing a private university here in Ikirun is a good step in the right direction to build a sane and responsible society. Private institutions like this will also provide more job opportunities for our unemployed graduates.”
The lawmaker, who commended the National Ikirun Progressive Union (NIPU) and other key stakeholders for their efforts and sacrifices in bringing the vision to reality, praised President Tinubu for the approval, saying it showed his commitment to expanding access to tertiary education in Nigeria.
The leadership of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, led by Amir Alhaji Azeez Folorunso Alatoye, expressed gratitude to all, saying, “With this official approval, Minaret University, Ikirun, is set to open its doors to students from Nigeria and beyond, offering a unique blend of religious and secular education that nurtures both the mind and the soul.”
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