High-Profile Gathering for MUSWEN General Assembly
Osogbo, Osun State - Nigeria's political and religious leaders are set to converge in Osun State this Sunday for a significant Muslim gathering that promises to address pressing national issues.
President Bola Tinubu will serve as the Father of the Day at the 10th General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), joining an impressive roster of dignitaries including all six Southwest governors and the Sultan of Sokoto.
Distinguished Guests and Event Details
The high-profile event, scheduled for November 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., will take place at the Bola Babalakin Hall in Gbongan, Osun State. The assembly is hosted by the Osun State Muslim Community and represents one of the most significant Muslim gatherings in the region.
According to Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, President of MUSWEN and Deputy President-General (South) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the event will feature Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State as co-host alongside his counterparts from across the Southwest region.
The complete list of attending governors includes: Biodun Oyebamiji of Ekiti State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo State, and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Adding to the event's significance, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of NSCIA, will serve as Special Guest of Honour, while Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Audu Sule will deliver the keynote address.
Addressing Nigeria's Economic Challenges
This year's assembly carries the timely theme: "Nigeria's Economy: Any Hope For The Masses?" - a topic that resonates deeply with current national concerns about economic hardship and rising living costs.
Governor Abdullahi Audu Sule of Nasarawa State has been tasked with delivering the keynote address on this critical subject, expected to provide insights and potential solutions to the country's economic challenges affecting ordinary citizens.
Response to US Religious Freedom Designation
During the press briefing, MUSWEN President Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo strongly criticized the recent designation of Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" by United States President Donald Trump.
Oladejo described the categorization as "both misplaced and unfortunate," arguing that it represents what he called the "well-known double standard of the United States in international diplomacy."
He specifically challenged President Trump's characterization of "genocide against the Nigerian Christian populace," stating that the comments appeared driven by "ulterior economic and political motives" rather than genuine concern.
"There is nothing like genocide against a particular faith in Nigeria," Oladejo asserted. "If there is anything, both major religious groups, Christianity and Islam, suffer equally from the unfortunate onslaughts of the bandits and insurgents."
The MUSWEN leader provided a compelling counter-argument, noting that "due to the fact that most of the places affected by insurgency are largely populated by Muslims, members of the Islamic faith are the largest victims of insurgency and banditry."
He cited several states including Niger, Kaduna, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kwara as evidence of Muslim communities bearing the brunt of security challenges.
The 10th MUSWEN General Assembly represents a significant convergence of Nigeria's political and religious leadership at a critical time for the nation, addressing both economic concerns and international perceptions of the country's religious dynamics.
