The Companion, an association of Muslim professionals, will host its 7th National Discourse on August 23, 2026, at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole delivering the keynote address. The event, themed 'Nigeria's Political Landscape and the Ethno-Religious Divides', aims to spark a national conversation on the state of democracy in Nigeria.
Event Details and Key Speakers
The discourse is scheduled to take place at the JF Ade Ajayi Auditorium, UNILAG, Yaba, Lagos. Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano State Governor and former Minister of Education, will chair the session. Senator Shuaib Salis, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, and Lagos State Deputy Governor Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat are listed as special guests of honour. Prof. Liasu Adele Jinadu, former Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), will serve as the guest speaker.
In a statement sent to Legit.ng on Monday, August 10, the National Amir of The Companion, Imam Nojeem Jimoh, emphasized that the event is a timely national conversation rather than a routine public lecture. He said the discourse will examine how Nigeria's democratic system has managed its ethnic, religious, cultural, linguistic, and ideological diversity, which can be either a strength or a source of division.
Why the Discourse Matters
Imam Jimoh said the National Discourse will provide an opportunity to examine whether the ideals of democracy—good governance, inclusion, justice, and accountability—are being adequately reflected in Nigeria's democratic experience. He noted that the conversation is particularly important at a time when Nigerians are increasingly concerned about the quality of political leadership, electoral processes, insecurity, economic hardship, institutional weaknesses, and the widening gap between citizens and those who govern them.
Jimoh specifically urged young Nigerians to attend, saying their voices, ideas, and aspirations must be part of any meaningful conversation about the country's democratic future. He also called on politicians, professionals, students, civil society groups, religious leaders, and civil servants to participate.
Previous Discourse and Context
The Companion's 6th National Discourse was held on August 10, 2024, in Abuja, under the theme 'Between Patriotism and Self-Preservation'. The upcoming event is part of the group's ongoing efforts to foster dialogue on critical national issues.
In related news, Legit.ng earlier reported that Sheikh Ahmad Gumi supported religious scholars entering partisan politics, arguing that clerics who engage directly with governance are doing more than those who confine themselves to prayers for politicians.
