Muslim Hands Launches First Permanent School in Nigeria

Muslim Hands International (MHI) has officially inaugurated the Muslim Hands Toyibat School of Excellence in Lagos, marking its first permanent educational institution in Nigeria after 35 years of global humanitarian work.

The school, located at Medina Estate, Gbagada, traces its roots to the legacy of the late Alhaja Toyibat Yusuf, a pioneer in Islamic education in Nigeria, who established the first private Islamic school in the country in the late 1970s. Designed to serve orphans and children from vulnerable backgrounds, the institution aims to go beyond traditional classroom teaching by equipping students with practical skills for the modern workforce.

Speaking at the inauguration, MHI Chairman and Founder Syed Lakhte Hassanain emphasized the organization’s focus on empowerment over profit. “We are not here for business; we are here to empower,” he said. Hassanain outlined plans for specialized centers in Information Technology, Mechanics, and Artificial Intelligence, offering intensive six-month to two-year training programs to prepare students for meaningful employment.

Despite its Islamic heritage, MHI stressed a policy of political neutrality and secular inclusivity. “Non-Muslim children can and should attend our schools because every child deserves quality education,” Hassanain added.

The Lagos State government, represented by Orunsolu Ismaheel Adebayo, welcomed the partnership, highlighting the role of credible organizations in complementing public education under the state’s “THEMES” agenda. “Education is a universal language; it connects nations and bridges cultures,” Adebayo stated.

The school’s launch also honored the legacy of the previous proprietor, with Mr. Kola James, son of the former owner, expressing gratitude for the charity’s commitment to sustaining his mother’s vision for the community.

Mawlana Jeelani Ghulam, a member of MHI’s Board of Trustees, noted that the Lagos school joins a network of over 100 Muslim Hands schools operating in 30 countries, reaffirming the organization’s global mission to deliver inclusive, quality education beyond religious, ethnic, or cultural boundaries.