Muslim Research Network Debuts In FUDMA, Targets Groundbreaking Researches
The International Institute for Islamic Thought (IIIT), Nigeria Office, has inaugurated the Muslim Research Network (MR Network) at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) to mobilise support and funding for groundbreaking research works aimed at tackling current societal challenges.
The Network was inaugurated with the support of the FUDMA Muslim Forum and will groom Muslim intellectuals to use a blended approach in solving societal ills.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Khalid Othman welcomed the initiative, saying that as an Islamic intellectual hub that incorporates conventional skills with Islamic credence, the MR Network would promote groundbreaking research capableproffering solutions to the lingering challenges affecting Nigeria.
Prof. Othman, represented by the Registrar, Dr. Musa Ajiya advised Muslims to traverse creativity, innovation, and modernisation without compromising their Islamic norms and values.
He described the topic selected for discussion during the event, ‘Exploring the Nexus Between Governance and Development in Nigeria: Understanding the Relevance of Islamic Political Economic Perspective’ as apt, in view of the quest for transformative leadership in Nigeria.
According to him, the blame for Nigeria’s current political and socioeconomic instability should not be limited to the leadership alone but must include the citizens as well.
“There is no field of study or aspect of life that Islam has never spoken about,” as such Muslim lecturers must integrate their knowledge in line with Islamic methodologies to concurrently promote the religion and benefit humanity at large.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator, IIIT Nigeria Office, Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa said the IIIT was founded by Isma’il Al-Faruqi in 1981, in the United States as a Centre of Excellence in Educational Research and Islamic Thought.
He said its main interest is in carrying out evidence-based research in advance levels to promote education in Muslim societies for the benefit of Islam and the human race in general.
Dr. Dukawa, who was represented by the IIITN’s Director of Orientation and Circulation, Dr. Isma’il Hashim said the Institute is reviving and reforming Islamic thoughts through intellectual findings.
He said it also provide a platform for Muslim scholars in all disciplines to adopt unique perspective approach in research or their field of study, that is blended with Islamic credence to benefit the religion and humanity at large.
“The institute also disseminate research through publication and translation of research work written by Muslims, teaching policy recommendations, strategic engagements, award scholarships to postgraduate students, exploring education at the inter-section of policy, pedagogy, curricula, governance, evaluation of impact and conduct theoretical research to renew the role of Islamic thought as an impetus to advancing education in Muslim societies”, he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Ameer, FUDMA Muslim Forum and the Chairman, MR Network Steering Committee, Prof. Daud Mustafa said the network would serve as the intellectual wing of the forum.
Prof. Mustafa said the inauguration of the Network was approved by IIIT following the seminar organised in collaboration with the Forum on 9th August, 2025 on the theme “Integration of Islamic Knowledge and Islamic Research Methodology”.
On his part, the Secretary of MR Network Steering Committee, Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed Abubakar said they would hunt for grants mainly from Muslim countries and organisations for career progression, intellectualism, and academic development of the Muslim ummah.
According to him, the network shall serve not only the Muslim society but humanity at large.
Presenting a paper titled “Exploring the Nexus Between Governance and Development in Nigeria: Understanding the Relevance of Islamic Political Economic Perspective”, Prof. Daud Mustafa said Nigeria is globally acknowledged as the most populous black nation and one of the largest economies in Africa.
He, however, said Nigeria, which was rated among the 50 richest countries in 1970 with 15 per cent poverty rate, has now descended into the 25 poorest countries in the world category.
Prof. Mustafa said the country failed to prosper due to bad governance and development traps such as poverty, corruption, debt, and insecurity.
“Nigerian elites, especially the political class, must reach a solid consensus to serve as the champions , patriots, police of development for the country as the case in Malaysia”, he stated.
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