Muslim women have been encouraged to embrace leadership rooted in service, wisdom, mentorship and self-development as a pathway to personal growth and societal transformation.
The call was made at the Muslim Sisters Electoral Conference of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN Lagos State Area Unit, with the theme “The Future is Now: Muslimah Leading with Wisdom”, where speakers and participants examined the principles of effective leadership.
Speaking at the event, leadership advocate Assistant Director, HRM National Gallery Of Art, Ministry of Art Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hajiah Shakeerah Salau urged Muslim women to equip themselves with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to remain relevant in their organisations, communities and professional fields.
She identified self-development, courage and mentorship as critical requirements for overcoming barriers that often hinder women from assuming leadership positions.
According to her, aspiring leaders must strive to make meaningful contributions wherever they find themselves, speak up when necessary and seek guidance from experienced mentors who can provide direction and support.
“Leadership is not merely about occupying a position; it is about service, impact and responsibility,” she said.
Sound Judgment
Salau also cautioned against allowing emotions to dictate actions, stressing that successful leaders are guided by wisdom, sound judgement and a commitment to the common good.
A panel session moderated by Hajiah Bashra Olagunju focused on the importance of mentorship and succession planning in leadership. Participants highlighted the need for outgoing executives to support incoming leaders through knowledge sharing and guidance to ensure continuity and organisational stability.
The panel noted that leadership succession is most effective when incoming leaders learn from the experiences, successes and challenges of their predecessors.
Beyond their Official Titles
Discussions also centred on the kind of legacy leaders leave behind as participants were challenged to evaluate their impact on others and consider how they would be remembered beyond their official titles and responsibilities.
“How beneficial are you to others?” was one of the key questions posed during the session, underscoring the Islamic principle that the best leaders are those who serve humanity and contribute positively to society.
The conference further identified stronger sisterhood, increased consciousness of acts of worship and greater self-awareness as areas requiring attention among Muslim women seeking leadership roles.
Participants were encouraged to overcome limiting beliefs, including the tendency to wait for perfection before accepting leadership responsibilities. They were also advised to recognise both their strengths and weaknesses and commit to continuous personal improvement.
Observers at the event noted that the discussions reflected the core teachings of leadership, which emphasise accountability, humility, service, consultation and the development of future leaders.
As Nigeria continues to seek transformative leadership across sectors, participants maintained that Islamic leadership principles provide a model capable of fostering responsible leaders who prioritise service above self-interest.
The conference concluded with the inauguration of new cabinet members to run the affairs of the Area Unit in the next four years, and the names of the new executives are
Female President (Amira): Hajia Rofiat Tijjani
Female Vice President (Naibatul Amira): Hajia Mardiyyah Munabah
Secretary: Rahimah Laraba Ahmad
Asst. Secretary: Hafsah Abdurrahman
Welfare: Ruqayyah Shijuade Shittu
Treasurer: Nafeesah Akegbeyale
Naibatul Amira UMMAHAAT: Balqis Owolewa
Naibatul Amira GRAMA: Sis. Khadijah Ismail-Badmus
Naibatul Amira COHI: Sis. Nusaybah Bankole
They all gathered with a renewed call for Muslim women to rise to leadership positions with confidence, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility while remaining committed to the values of faith, mentorship and community service.
