Nigerian Scholar Makes History at Prestigious Al-Azhar University
A 27-year-old Nigerian scholar, Muhammadul-Awwal Babatunde, has achieved an extraordinary academic feat by emerging as the overall best graduating student at the world-renowned Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. This remarkable accomplishment places him above tens of thousands of students from more than 40 countries.
Educational Journey from Ilorin to Cairo
Muhammadul-Awwal's educational foundation was laid in Nigeria, where he demonstrated academic excellence from an early age. He completed his primary and junior secondary education at Ahbabul-Deenil-Islami group of school in Offa-Garage, Ilorin, graduating as the best student in both stages.
His educational journey continued at Darul-Kitab Wa Sunnah College of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Gaa-Akanbi, Ilorin, where he maintained his outstanding performance, graduating as the best student in 2017. The college, founded about three decades ago by Sheikh Dr. Abdulkadir As-Salman Oba Sholagberu, the Ubandoma of Ilorin Emirate and one of the Imams of the National Mosque of Nigeria, provided the platform for his international success.
In 2020, through a full scholarship from Darul-Kitab Wa Sunnah College, Muhammadul-Awwal secured admission to study Arabic at the Language Development Center, Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies at Al-Azhar University.
Record-Breaking Achievement at Al-Azhar
Muhammadul-Awwal's dedication to his studies resulted in him earning the distinguished title: "ممتاز الأول مع مرتبة الشرف" — Excellent First Class with Highest Honors. This represents one of the highest academic ranks in Al-Azhar University's system.
What makes his achievement particularly significant is that he topped both Egyptian and international students in his faculty and was recognized as the overall best graduating student across all faculties of the prestigious institution. Al-Azhar Sherif honored him with a rare award of academic excellence in recognition of his outstanding performance.
In an emotional reflection, Muhammadul-Awwal dedicated his success to his late mother who passed away a week before his journey to Egypt, his father who made numerous sacrifices, and his teachers at Daarul Kitab wa Sunnah Ilorin who guided him with sincerity under the mentorship of Sheikh Abdulkadir As-Salman Oba Sholagberu.
He described his achievement as not just a personal milestone but a responsibility to serve his community, uplift the reputation of Nigerian scholarship, and contribute meaningfully to Islamic knowledge on global platforms. This accomplishment demonstrates that Nigerian students can excel at the highest levels of international learning and brings pride to the entire nation.
