Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, have inaugurated Minaret University, Ikirun, a private tertiary institution established by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, describing the development as a significant milestone for higher education in the state.

The event also featured the investiture of the institution’s pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullah Abdur-Rahman, alongside the formal opening of the university campus.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Adeleke stressed that education remains the strongest instrument for social transformation and sustainable development, noting that an enlightened population is more powerful than one driven by force.

He said the establishment of the faith-based university further strengthens Osun State’s status as a centre of academic excellence and scholarship in Nigeria.

According to him, the inauguration of the private university underscores the intellectual depth and progressive vision of the people of the state, adding that a well-educated society cannot easily be suppressed or denied its constitutional rights.

His words: “Osun will continue to advance in scholarship and good governance. Our sons and daughters will keep making the state proud both locally and internationally. Never shall Osun retrogress; the clock of advancement will continue to tick in our favour.”

In his address, the Chancellor of Minaret University, Barrister Azeez Alatoye, said the institution was conceived at a time Nigeria is facing serious social, economic and moral challenges, adding that the university is positioned to contribute practical solutions through quality teaching, research, innovation and community engagement.

Alatoye disclosed that the university will commence academic activities with programmes in Data Science, Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Marketing, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management.

He expressed confidence that the institution would produce graduates equipped with the knowledge and skills required to compete globally.

Speaking after his investiture, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullah Abdur-Rahman, said the vision is to build a world-class, entrepreneurial and inclusive university that will drive intellectual growth and manpower development.

“I envision a university that is entrepreneurial, inclusive and globally competitive. Our mission is to become a world-class tertiary institution for the intellectual and manpower development of human resources for sustainable socio-economic development regionally, nationally and internationally,” he said.

A representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Prof. Abdullateef Abass, joined other dignitaries at the event to formally inaugurate the university.