UMA Returns Dr Alao for Second Term

UNILAG Muslim Alumni renews president’s mandate as association advances ₦960m student hostel plan and builds ₦750m postgraduate scholarship endowment

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Dr Mumini Alao, the award-winning sports journalist, columnist and communications executive who has held several major leadership positions within the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA), has secured a second two-year term as national president of the association.

Alao’s re-election came at UMA’s 37th Annual General Meeting and Elective Congress on Sunday at the University of Lagos Mosque Islamic Centre, Akoka, Lagos, where the association also presented ₦19.25 million in postgraduate scholarships and ₦5.16 million through its Zakat and Sadaqat Fund.

The combined ₦24.41 million support went to 23 postgraduate students and 23 beneficiaries of the Zakat and Sadaqat Fund, as the alumni body placed education and welfare among the priorities of its next phase.

The congress also approved constitutional amendments and inaugurated a committee to drive the association’s proposed student hostel project, estimated at about ₦960 million.

Alao’s return extends a leadership journey within UMA that began with his service as a Public Relations Officer before he went on to serve two terms as Secretary-General and two terms as Vice President.

He first became national president in October 2024, succeeding Prof. Khalid Adekoya. At the 37th AGM, the Shurah Committee reviewed the outgoing administration before recommending Alao for another term.

Outside UMA, Alao is known as a veteran sports journalist and columnist and an executive in the media and communications industry. He is Executive Consultant to Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports, and Executive Director of Medianomics Limited, a marketing communications firm.

His first two-year tenure saw the association expand its postgraduate scholarship mobilisation, strengthen its welfare interventions, relaunch its digital platform and pursue a major student accommodation project.

At the AGM, Alao reported that UMA generated more than ₦100 million for its postgraduate scholarship programme in 2025, enabling it to support 23 beneficiaries in a single year. The association has now accumulated about ₦130 million towards a long-term scholarship endowment target of ₦750 million.

The latest disbursements underline the scale of UMA’s education and welfare commitments.

The association presented ₦19.25 million to 23 postgraduate students pursuing Master’s and doctoral degrees, while ₦5.16 million from its Zakat and Sadaqat Fund was allocated to 23 needy members.  The identities of the Zakat beneficiaries were not publicly disclosed, preserving their privacy.

The association has also maintained engagement with the University of Lagos Muslim Community and the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, UNILAG Branch, through initiatives including Ramadan feeding, student welfare support and assistance to graduating students.

The welfare drive builds on UMA’s earlier scholarship intervention. At its 36th AGM in 2025, the association disbursed ₦14.2 million to 23 students and approved ₦1 million for the UNILAG branch of MSSN to assist indigent students with tuition fees.

The proposed student hostel emerged as another major priority for the new administration.

Alao said UMA had inspected properties close to the university and prepared preliminary architectural plans for a facility estimated at about ₦960 million.

The project is expected to be developed outside the university campus after an earlier proposal to partner with the university on the acquisition and renovation of a female hostel was discontinued.

A project committee was inaugurated at the AGM to take the initiative forward, making the hostel one of the defining projects awaiting the new executive.

Former UMA leaders also rallied support for the project, with Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, a former president of the association, urging members to support an initiative that could address student accommodation needs while becoming a sustainable institutional asset.

The congress also ushered in a new National Executive Council for the 2026–2028 tenure.

Alhaji Muhammad Abiodun Salami was returned as Deputy President I, while Alhaja Muhidat Bello became Deputy President II. Prof. Ismail Ishola was elected Deputy President III in charge of Special Duties.

Prof. Shakirudeen Odunuga emerged Vice President I for Akoka, while Dr Zainab Shogbesan-Yisa became Vice President II for the College of Medicine.

Alhaji Tajudeen Adebanjo was elected Secretary-General and AbdulHakeem Olubunmi Qazeem Assistant Secretary-General.

Other members are Alhaja Dr Bilqees Mopelola Oladunni-Muhammad, PRO I; Dr Aminat Adegoke, PRO II; Taiwo Kuye, Financial Secretary; Alhaji Muftau Tijani, Treasurer; Babatunde Jamiu Yusuf, Internal Auditor; Prof. Taofeeqa Adesalu, Welfare Officer I; Dr Zainab Olaniyan, Welfare Officer II; Dr Issa Akanji Adedokun, Legal Adviser; and Dr Ibrahim Ayodele Shittu, Education Officer.

Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu and Prof. Khalid Adekoya were named Ex-Officio members.

The AGM also featured a keynote presentation by Engr. Abdulhafis Gbolahan Toriola, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Housing, on “Unlocking Real Estate Opportunities Amid Lagos State Housing Deficit.”

Toriola identified affordable and mid-market housing, rental housing, urban regeneration, vertical development, property technology, green housing and ethical housing finance as areas of opportunity amid Lagos State’s housing shortage.

He cited an estimated housing deficit of more than 3.3 million units in a state with a population exceeding 20 million, while urging investors to look beyond individual buildings and develop liveable communities supported by transportation, employment, schools, healthcare and other essential infrastructure.

He also highlighted Shariah-compliant instruments, including Murabaha, Ijarah, Musharakah, diminishing Musharakah and Sukuk, as potential avenues for expanding access to housing.

For UMA members, he proposed exploring a housing and real estate investment initiative covering investment education, property due diligence, cooperative housing, ethical financing partnerships and engagement with credible developers.

The congress brought together current and former UMA leaders, academics, professionals and members participating physically and virtually.

The 37th AGM brought together former UMA presidents Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Alhaji Akeeb Sola Oladokun and Prof. Khalid Adekoya, alongside senior members including Prof. Luqman Adeoti, Surveyor Hassan Elias, Dr Abdullahi Shuaib, Prof. Ibraheem Ismail, Prof. Luqman Adams, Alhaji Abdullah Awwal and Dr Jimoh Ibrahim.

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