By Amidat Shittu
Havek Leadership Academy, one of Nigeria’s leading Islamic leadership training institutions, held its 3rd Annual General Meeting on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the NASFAT Secretariat Conference Room in Ilupeju, Lagos. The event which commenced at 11:00 a.m with an opening prayer, brought together members of the Board of Directors, top management, stakeholders and guests both physically and virtually via Zoom to ensure global accessibility and inclusiveness.
Chairman of the Board, Mr Niyi Yusuf, presided over the meeting where he delivered a comprehensive address that celebrated the achievements of the academy in the 2024 fiscal year and laid out strategic goals for future growth. He commended the resilience of the board and management despite the prevailing macroeconomic headwinds in Nigeria, citing the successful execution of several key programs, Among the highlights were the launch of the First Class Muslim Graduate Mentoring Programme, the rollout of the HAVEK Leadership Fellowship and the Monthly Leadership Booster Programme which have continued to position the academy as a critical platform for nurturing ethical, skilled and impactful leaders.
In just four years, the academy has developed and deployed seven distinct training curricula tailored to youth, women and Islamic organizational leaders. In 2024 alone Havek recorded a 15% increase in participant engagement impacting 1,974 individuals up from 1,718 in 2023 and reached over 8,240 participants through 32 capacity building events across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and the Northwest zones. The institution’s open training and leadership booster programs have significantly expanded its influence beyond NASFAT to other Islamic communities.
Mr Yusuf spotlighted the First Class Mentoring Programme as a landmark success with 100 graduates selected from over 303 applicants nationwide 65% from outside the South West. The initiative saw a 70% success rate, including 20 participants securing postgraduate scholarships and global career placements within three months. He also confirmed that 39 scholars are currently enrolled in the second cohort of the HAVEK Fellowship, set to conclude in August 2025, following the successful graduation of 23 fellows from the inaugural class, which delivered over 120 hours of instruction across 104 weeks with 80 faculty members and professional mentors.
Further expanding on future plans, Mr Yusuf announced that the academy had received full accreditation from the Centre for Management Development (CMD), enabling it to launch new curricular and collaborate with Islamic societies, Lagos State Government agencies and tertiary institutions such as Fountain University, Osogbo, and Yabatech. Plans are also underway for a specialized women’s fellowship programme targeting Muslim women in politics and business. Mr Yusuf appealed for increased financial and technical support from stakeholders to scale these initiatives and deepen national impact.
During the meeting, external auditor Mr Oduyoye MBG emphasized the importance of strong internal controls and transparency. He detailed how the audit team delivers management reports highlighting areas for improvement in financial reporting which the academy consistently acts upon. He also affirmed that the CMD accreditation would enhance the academy’s credibility and funding prospects, especially as Havek seeks to attract national and international partnerships.
Alhaja Nofisat Adeola Arogundade, Secretary of the NASFAT Council of Elders, reinforced the importance of integrating traditional Islamic values into modern leadership. She stressed that qualities such as trust, consultation, discipline and the fear of Allah are essential to effective leadership and should remain central to Havek’s framework in grooming future leaders.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the NASFAT President, Alhaji Ajiroba Morufu, Vice President 2 of NASFAT, praised the management and board for staying true to the academy’s founding vision. He expressed optimism that Havek would soon become a benchmark for leadership excellence within and outside the NASFAT fold, addressing the current leadership void in society.
Comrade Fatai Olayemi Nasfat national secretary NGS, recounted the academy’s evolution from its early days operating within the NASFAT headquarters to now having a presence in nearly all zones and branches, including interest from overseas. He noted that Havek has begun to attract non NASFAT members as participants showing its rising relevance across communities.
Mr Abdulwasiu Ayoola, the General Manager of Havek, added that the success of the First Class Graduate Mentoring Programme has further enhanced the academy’s reputation and reach. According to him, this initiative reflects Havek’s long term vision to produce principled, result oriented leaders for national development.
The meeting also featured the presentation of the 2024 Audited Financial Statements, reports from directors and auditors, disclosure of executive remuneration and approval of audit fees for the new financial year. The session concluded with heartfelt gratitude from Mr Yusuf who appreciated Almighty Allah, the board members, the wider NASFAT society, and the NASFAT secretariat for their unwavering support. He prayed for continued strength, health, and divine guidance for all those involved in advancing Islamic leadership through Havek.
