Ikeja: The First Class Muslim Foundation has successfully trained and mentored more than 350 first-class graduates on career development over a span of seven years. Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, the Chairman of the Board of Incorporated Trustees of the First Class Muslim Foundation, disclosed this information during the M-First Series 7 event for First Class Muslim Graduates held in Ikeja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the foundation organized a three-day program, bringing together 51 first-class graduates from various Nigerian universities. The initiative aims to inspire and motivate these graduates as they transition into the next phase of their careers after graduation. Dr. Ogunmuyiwa emphasized that the M-First programme is designed to help these top graduates identify their core competencies, set personal goals, expand their networks, and secure scholarships for further education or entry into the industry. Industry experts are also involved to guide participants on potential career pathways.
“This is the seventh edition of the programme, with a total of 350 graduates trained so far. Many of the graduates are pursuing master’s or PhD programmes in countries like the UK, Germany, Canada, U.S., and Malaysia. Those still in Nigeria are either in top universities or top companies, contributing positively to their fields. The foundation tracks the progress of these graduates annually and is pleased with their achievements,” explained Dr. Ogunmuyiwa. He further stated the importance of utilizing their first-class degrees promptly, as the value may diminish if not acted upon within two to three years.
Mr. Faheed Olajide, a Board Member of the First Class Muslim Foundation and Managing Director of Omnicom Solutions Ltd., also addressed the graduates, urging them to commit to serving humanity and their communities. He highlighted the crucial need for stakeholder collaboration to raise the standard of the education sector in Nigeria. “We need more investment into education. Quality planning needs to be invested in our education. If any nation is going to grow, it is only the next generation of students, of the youth that are coming up that are going to do it,” he said.
Participant Haruna Abdullahi, a Biochemistry graduate from Kogi State University, shared his experiences, noting the stigma associated with obtaining a first-class degree. He explained that such achievements often lead to unrealistic expectations of perfection in the workplace. Abdullahi emphasized the personal fulfillment and success a first-class degree represents among peers. He advised undergraduates to change the common perception that education is a scam and urged them not to waste educational resources, whether self-funded or sponsored.