The President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, has said that Nigerians ability to withstand economic and social shocks has been severely weakened by poor governance, overdependence on oil revenue and weak institutions.
Alhaji Oladejo stated this yesterday during the Formal Opening of the Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP) Convention at AM2PM Hotel, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Represented by the Deputy President II, MUSWEN, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike, Alhaji Oladejo, said the country ranks among the least resilient nations in Africa and warned that without deliberate reforms and morally grounded leadership, sustainable development will remain elusive.
The convention, themed “Resilient Professionals, Resilient Nation,” brought together Muslim professionals, scholars and industry leaders to examine Nigeria’s economic fragility and the role of faith-driven professionalism in national renewal.
Alhaji Oladejo said Nigeria’s heavy reliance on oil and gas, which accounts for up to 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings and about half of government revenue, has exposed the economy to volatility.
He added that infrastructure deficits, insecurity, high poverty levels and rising debt have further eroded national resilience.
According to him, Nigeria’s per capita GDP declined by an average of 0.7 per cent annually between 2014 and 2023, while inflation exceeded 40 per cent in 2024, worsening hardship for citizens.
“Although recent reforms such as foreign exchange liberalisation and fuel subsidy removal have improved access to forex and strengthened reserves, electricity shortages, food insecurity and widespread poverty remain major challenges,” he said.
The MUSWEN president identified poverty reduction, fiscal discipline and increased domestic revenue as key priorities, stressing that poverty cannot be addressed through quick fixes.
He stressed the need for a resilient workforce, describing skilled, adaptable and ethically grounded workers as critical to national stability.
He called for targeted reskilling in digital technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, alongside flexible work models and strong mental health support.
According to him, such measures would help Nigerian professionals remain productive during crises and contribute to long-term growth.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of GMP and Chief Executive Officer of Marble Limited, Dr Akeem Oyewale, urged Muslim professionals to see resilience as a moral and spiritual obligation.
He said professionals must act as pillars of integrity within weak systems, guided by Islamic values of accountability, justice and excellence.
According to him, resilience rooted in faith requires ethical restraint, diligence and stewardship, even when institutions fail.
He urged Muslim professionals to strengthen, rather than undermine, the organisations they serve, noting that national stability depends largely on individual conduct.
The keynote speaker, Sheikh Muhammad Mahmoud, in his lecture “Ihsan in Islam” stressed that constant awareness of Allah’s presence fosters ethical behaviour, calmness and excellence (Ihsan).
He said when professionals internalise divine accountability, integrity becomes natural in both public and private life.
The scholar urged participants to embed spiritual mindfulness into daily routines using simple habits, such as brief moments of reflection supported by technology, while stressing the importance of proper mentorship and adherence to established Islamic teachings.
The Director of Executive Education and Consultancy, Nungu Business School by Dr. Jubril Salaudeen, Dr. Jubril Salaudeen, said Muslim professionals must take deliberate responsibility for Nigeria’s economic and social development.and warned that silence and poor coordination have weakened their influence in national affairs.
He noted that despite their presence across key sectors, Muslim professionals face identity, of representation and contribution gaps, worsened by the absence of reliable data on their population, sectoral spread and leadership positions.
According to him, this data gap makes effective planning, impact assessment and succession difficult.
Dr Salaudeen said Muslim professionals remain largely in middle management, with limited representation at top levels in sectors such as banking and law, a trend he described as a threat to long-term influence.
He called for intentional mentorship and advocacy to move qualified professionals into leadership rather than waiting for chance.
He decried discrimination against Muslim women in the workplace, recounting cases where qualified candidates were excluded due to wearing the hijab. He said empowering Muslim women professionally would strengthen household incomes and boost national economic outcomes.
Dr. Salaudeen urged the GMP to adopt sustained mentorship and leadership development plans spanning five to 10 years, strengthen collaboration between Muslim professionals in public and private sectors, and promote responsible public engagement to improve community image and national relevance.
