350 Muslim First-Class Graduates Groomed for Leadership Roles in Seven Years

Foundation gathers 51 new high achievers for Series 7 mentoring on career development, global scholarships, and nation building.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The First Class Muslim Foundation says it has trained and mentored more than 350 first-class graduates from Nigerian universities in the last seven years, equipping them with skills and opportunities to excel both locally and globally.

Speaking at the opening of the M-First Series 7 for First Class Muslim Graduates in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, Chairman of the Board of Incorporated Trustees, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, said this year’s edition brought together 51 top-performing graduates for an intensive three-day mentorship programme.

According to Ogunmuyiwa, the M-First initiative is designed to ensure that first-class achievers take strategic steps within a critical window after graduation.

“We feel that the first class will lose its edge in two to three years if the graduates do not act on it now,” he explained. “This programme helps them identify core competencies, set personal and professional goals, build meaningful networks, and access scholarships for further studies.”

He disclosed that past participants of the series have secured placements for master’s and doctoral studies in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the United States, and Malaysia, while many who stayed in Nigeria now hold key positions in leading universities and companies.

The chairman added that the foundation tracks the progress of all beneficiaries annually and is encouraged by their achievements so far.

“This is the seventh edition of the programme, with a total of 350 graduates trained to date. Our goal is to see them excel not only for themselves but also to serve as contributors to the growth of the nation,” he said.

Board member and Managing Director of Omnicom Solutions Ltd., Mr. Faheed Olajide, challenged the participants to think beyond personal success.

“You must ask yourselves how you can serve humanity and your communities,” he said. “No nation can achieve sustainable growth without substantial investment in its youth and education sector.”

Olajide emphasised that educational investment is a long-term project:

“It will not yield instant results, but it is the only way to secure a better Nigeria for the next generation and those coming after them.”

One of the mentees, Haruna Abdullahi, a first-class graduate of Biochemistry from Kogi State University, shared his experience, noting that the distinction often comes with pressure.

“There is a stigma around first-class degrees, where people expect perfection in every task,” he said. “But for me, it is a source of self-fulfilment — proof of my achievement and success.”

He urged undergraduates to resist the narrative that “education is a scam” and to make the most of any educational opportunities, whether self-funded or sponsored.

The M-First Series 7 continues with industry experts delivering targeted sessions to prepare the graduates for further studies, competitive job markets, and leadership roles.

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