Ahmadiyya Elders Mark Golden Jubilee With 50th Annual Ijtema in Abeokuta
Olúmọ 2026 will bring together Ahmadiyya elders from across Africa for six days of lectures, medical outreach and discussions on faith-based responses to global challenges.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria’s Elders Group, Majlis Ansarullah, will mark its 50th anniversary with a six-day conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from August 19 to 23.
The Golden Jubilee conference, themed “Faith-Based Solutions to Global Challenges,” will hold at Lisabi Grammar School, Idi-Aba, and bring together Ahmadiyya elders from Nigeria and other African countries, as well as religious, traditional, political, academic and community leaders.
The programme will include courtesy visits to Islamic and traditional rulers, political and opinion leaders, security officials and government representatives in Abeokuta.
As part of the anniversary activities, the organisers will also hold a two-day free medical camp at the General Hospital, Iberekodo, Abeokuta. The camp will be declared open by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji Alatoye Folorunso Azeez.
The conference programme will feature special lectures, prayers for Nigeria, sports, speech and Quranic recitation competitions, as well as a quiz.
Among the topics scheduled for discussion are “Leadership Lessons for Modern Life: Applying Prophetic Diplomacy in Peacebuilding,” “Increasing Morbidity and Mortality of Non-Communicable Diseases: Role of Early Detection in Prevention and Control,” “Khilafah: A Central Pillar of Muslim Unity,” and “Memory, Mind and Mental Health in Old Age.”
The anniversary will also have an international dimension, with leaders of Majlis Ansarullah from Benin Republic, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon and Sierra Leone expected to attend.
The organisers listed Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian ambassador to the United Kingdom Alhaji Sarafadeen Ishola and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka among the special guests of honour.
Traditional rulers expected at the event include the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Olówu of Òwu Kingdom, Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola Oluyalo Otileta VII; and the Orunda of Olorunda, Oba Joshua Olusegun Philips Ogunsola Enitan.
The organisers also listed a number of Islamic scholars and senior Muslim leaders as spiritual fathers of honour, including the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Muhammed Sa’ad Alade Bamgbola; Chief Imam of Gbagura, Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun Al-Adabiy; and the Grand Chief Imam of Remoland and President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas, Ogun State, Sheikh Quadri Yusuf Jinadu.
Other Muslim leaders listed include the Grand Chief Imams of Yewaland and Ijebuland, Sheikh Uthman Fasasi Akewukowo and Sheikh Miiftaudeen Gbadegeshin Ayanbadejo, respectively, alongside senior officials of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State.
The distinguished guests expected at the conference include former Ogun State governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Yayi, Baba Adinni of Egbaland and former military administrator of Sokoto and Bauchi states; Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu; and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako.
The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Olusegun Elemide; Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Arinola Dipeolu; and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, Rt. Rev. Oludaisi Adekunle, are also expected.
Other invited guests include senior representatives of the police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, correctional services, universities and other tertiary institutions, as well as Islamic organisations and professional bodies.
The conference forms part of activities marking five decades of Majlis Ansarullah in Nigeria, with the organisers presenting the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of faith-based institutions to contemporary social challenges and the role of older members in community development.
The Media Lead of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Qasim Akinreti, PhD, signed the press release announcing the anniversary and inviting the media to cover the programme.
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