Minaret International University (MIU) is a private institution owned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria (AMJN), approved on March 3, 2025, by the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is located in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State, Southwest Nigeria.
Summary
- Founders: Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria
- Establishment date: March 2025
- Vice-Chancellor: Professor Abdul Rahman Abdullah
- Hosting community: Ikirun
History
The idea for the establishment of Minaret International University Ikirun began in 2016 when the Ibadan branch of AMJN suggested to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria that it should establish its own university. The proposal was made during the religious organisation’s annual consultative meeting (Shoora) held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The head (Amir) of the AMJN at the time, Professor Mashuud Adenrele Fasola, an economist, presented the proposal at the annual Islamic Conference held in the United Kingdom (UK Jalsa Salana), which was attended by the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.
That same year—2016—interested hosting communities began lobbying the Islamic organisation. Eventually, the list of proposed hosting communities was narrowed down to two: Agbonbiti (a community under Ile-Ife, Osun) and Ikirun (a town in Osun close to Osogbo, the state capital).
Considering access to essential amenities such as power supply and road infrastructure, Ikirun won the hosting ‘privilege’ and provided at least 500 acres of land for the take-off of the institution.
Earlier, the traditional rulers of both communities had travelled to London to convince and showcase the potential of their communities to the international body of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
On March 31, 2017, the university officially registered its name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under Incorporated Trustees (IT) and was issued a certificate of registration bearing the name “Minaret International University Foundation” with registration number IT-96577.
On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the then-Governor of the State of Osun, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, led other dignitaries to the foundation-laying ceremony in Ikirun. The event was attended by the then Deputy Governor, members of the Osun State cabinet, traditional rulers from the Ifelodun council area, the National Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Barrister Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, and a representative of the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
On March 3, 2025, President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of Minaret International University along with 10 other universities, such as Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic and Management (IBUAM), Lagos; and Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City, among others.
On April 30, 2025, the management of Minaret University received its operating licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja.
Campus
Minaret University’s main campus is located in Ikirun, beside Federal Government College, along the Osogbo-Ikirun Expressway, Osun State, Nigeria. Its satellite campus is located in Agbonbiti and houses the university’s farm settlement projects.
Management
- Owner: Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria
- Visitor: National Head of AMJN
- Vice-Chancellor: Professor Abdul Rahman Abdullah
- Location: Ikirun
- Establishment date: March 2025
Academic Programmes
The available courses at Minaret University include:
- Accounting
- Economics
- Marketing
- Computer Science
- Cyber Security
- Data Science
- Business Administration
- Information Technology
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
References
- News Editor (March 9, 2021). “Oyetola lays foundation stone of Minaret university Ikirun”. Date Line. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
- Akinreti, Qasim (March 15, 2025). “Minaret: Extending the frontiers of faith-based private universities in Nigeria”. Nigerian Tribune. Retreived May 2, 2025.
- “Minaret University Foundation Stone Finally Laid”. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- Bieni, Victor (April 20, 2025). “VC, Minaret Int’l University, Ikirun Receives UNESCO Laureate’s Proposals To Boost Quality Assurance in Higher Education in The Newly Established, Approved Private Varsity in Nigeria”. Delta Uhuru. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
- Adeduyite, Okiki (March 3, 2025). “FULL LIST: Tinubu approves licences for 11 private universities”. The Punch. Retreived April 12, 2025.
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