Scholars urge Lagos mosques to improve documentation, sanitation
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Punch Newspaper
Reported by Tosin Oyediran
Mon, 2 Nov 2026, 07:59
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Prof. Saheed Timehin of the Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University (LASU), said “proper documentation, good governance and hygiene were essential for sustainable mosque development.” Delivering the keynote address, Timehin said “mosques must reflect Islamic values through transparency, accountability, cleanliness and responsible administration.” He said “many mosques lacked reliable records of their properties, finances, activities and membership, exposing them to disputes and possible loss of assets.” L-R: A Surveyor, Alhaji Adegbenga Ojikutu; the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Dr Oladimeji Animashaun; former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef; Chief Imam Satellite Town Lagos, Abdul-Raham Dauda, and the moderator, Hajia Shakirah Adunola, during panel discussion at the event on Sunday He urged “mosque leaders to preserve land titles, survey plans, waqf deeds and registration certificates to protect properties dedicated to Allah.” He also advocated written constitutions, meeting minutes, succession plans and maintenance records to promote institutional continuity. L-R: memeber Mosque Guidance and Development, Lagos Initiative (MGDIL); Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamat, the Chairman, Alhaji Musoddiq Adele-Sanni; Prof. Saheed Timehin, Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University; Alhaji Muhammad Danmole, former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs and also President Muslim Committee of Lagos State and the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla during the 2026 MGDIL on Sunday in Lagos | NAN Islamic scholars and experts have warned that poor documentation, weak governance and inadequate sanitation threaten the sustainability of some mosques in Lagos.
Context & Background
✦The Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla, said “proper documentation was essential to protecting mosque properties under the law.” Abou-Nolla urged mosque managers to “obtain title documents before commencing construction and comply with relevant legal procedures.” Alhaji Muhammad-Bello Danmole, former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, urged mosque managers to establish committees for effective and sustainable administration.
Key Figures & Named Entities
2026:L-R: memeber Mosque Guidance and Development, Lagos Initiative (MGDIL); Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamat, the Chairman, Alhaji Musoddiq Adele-Sanni; Prof. Saheed Timehin, Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University; Alhaji Muhammad Danmole, former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs and also President Muslim Committee of Lagos State and the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla during the 2026 MGDIL on Sunday in Lagos | NAN Islamic scholars and experts have warned that poor documentation, weak governance and inadequate sanitation threaten the sustainability of some mosques in Lagos.Sunday:They gave the warning at the annual programme of the Mosque Guidance and Development Lagos Initiative (MGDLI), held in Lagos on Sunday.Sunday:Prof. Saheed Timehin of the Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University (LASU), said “proper documentation, good governance and hygiene were essential for sustainable mosque development.” Delivering the keynote address, Timehin said “mosques must reflect Islamic values through transparency, accountability, cleanliness and responsible administration.” He said “many mosques lacked reliable records of their properties, finances, activities and membership, exposing them to disputes and possible loss of assets.” L-R: A Surveyor, Alhaji Adegbenga Ojikutu; the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Dr Oladimeji Animashaun; former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef; Chief Imam Satellite Town Lagos, Abdul-Raham Dauda, and the moderator, Hajia Shakirah Adunola, during panel discussion at the event on Sunday He urged “mosque leaders to preserve land titles, survey plans, waqf deeds and registration certificates to protect properties dedicated to Allah.” He also advocated written constitutions, meeting minutes, succession plans and maintenance records to promote institutional continuity.
Outlook & Next Steps
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Key Takeaways
Verified Extract
✦Prof. Saheed Timehin of the Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University (LASU), said “proper documentation, good governance and hygiene were essential for sustainable mosque development.” Delivering the keynote address, Timehin said “mosques must reflect Islamic values through transparency, accountability, cleanliness and responsible administration.” He said “many mosques lacked reliable records of their properties, finances, activities and membership, exposing them to disputes and possible loss of assets.” L-R: A Surveyor, Alhaji Adegbenga Ojikutu; the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Dr Oladimeji Animashaun; former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef; Chief Imam Satellite Town Lagos, Abdul-Raham Dauda, and the moderator, Hajia Shakirah Adunola, during panel discussion at the event on Sunday He urged “mosque leaders to preserve land titles, survey plans, waqf deeds and registration certificates to protect properties dedicated to Allah.” He also advocated written constitutions, meeting minutes, succession plans and maintenance records to promote institutional continuity.
✦L-R: memeber Mosque Guidance and Development, Lagos Initiative (MGDIL); Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamat, the Chairman, Alhaji Musoddiq Adele-Sanni; Prof. Saheed Timehin, Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University; Alhaji Muhammad Danmole, former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs and also President Muslim Committee of Lagos State and the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla during the 2026 MGDIL on Sunday in Lagos | NAN Islamic scholars and experts have warned that poor documentation, weak governance and inadequate sanitation threaten the sustainability of some mosques in Lagos.
✦The Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla, said “proper documentation was essential to protecting mosque properties under the law.” Abou-Nolla urged mosque managers to “obtain title documents before commencing construction and comply with relevant legal procedures.” Alhaji Muhammad-Bello Danmole, former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, urged mosque managers to establish committees for effective and sustainable administration.
Key Facts:2026: L-R: memeber Mosque Guidance and Development, Lagos Initiative (MGDIL); Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamat, the Chairman, Alhaji Musoddiq Adele-Sanni; Prof. Saheed Timehin, Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University; Alhaji Muhammad Danmole, former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs and also President Muslim Committee of Lagos State and the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla during the 2026 MGDIL on Sunday in Lagos | NAN Islamic scholars and experts have warned that poor documentation, weak governance and inadequate sanitation threaten the sustainability of some mosques in Lagos.Sunday: They gave the warning at the annual programme of the Mosque Guidance and Development Lagos Initiative (MGDLI), held in Lagos on Sunday.Sunday: Prof. Saheed Timehin of the Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University (LASU), said “proper documentation, good governance and hygiene were essential for sustainable mosque development.” Delivering the keynote address, Timehin said “mosques must reflect Islamic values through transparency, accountability, cleanliness and responsible administration.” He said “many mosques lacked reliable records of their properties, finances, activities and membership, exposing them to disputes and possible loss of assets.” L-R: A Surveyor, Alhaji Adegbenga Ojikutu; the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Dr Oladimeji Animashaun; former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef; Chief Imam Satellite Town Lagos, Abdul-Raham Dauda, and the moderator, Hajia Shakirah Adunola, during panel discussion at the event on Sunday He urged “mosque leaders to preserve land titles, survey plans, waqf deeds and registration certificates to protect properties dedicated to Allah.” He also advocated written constitutions, meeting minutes, succession plans and maintenance records to promote institutional continuity.2023: He said “investigations revealed that some mosque properties had been sold or demolished because donors failed to transfer legal ownership to the mosques.” He recalled that the first sensitisation programme was held on October 28, 2023, at Shamsideen Adisa Central Mosque.
Editorial Excerpt
Islamic scholars and experts have warned that poor documentation, weak governance and inadequate sanitation threaten the sustainability of some mosques in
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What is the latest development regarding Lagos State?
Prof. Saheed Timehin of the Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University (LASU), said “proper documentation, good governance and hygiene were essential for sustainable mosque development.” Delivering the keynote address, Timehin said “mosques must reflect Islamic values through transparency, accountability, cleanliness and responsible administration.” He said “many mosques lacked reliable records of their properties, finances, activities and membership, exposing them to disputes and possible loss of assets.” L-R: A Surveyor, Alhaji Adegbenga Ojikutu; the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Dr Oladimeji Animashaun; former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef; Chief Imam Satellite Town Lagos, Abdul-Raham Dauda, and the moderator, Hajia Shakirah Adunola, during panel discussion at the event on Sunday He urged “mosque leaders to preserve land titles, survey plans, waqf deeds and registration certificates to protect properties dedicated to Allah.” He also advocated written constitutions, meeting minutes, succession plans and maintenance records to promote institutional continuity.
Who are the key organizations or public figures mentioned?
L-R: memeber Mosque Guidance and Development, Lagos Initiative (MGDIL); Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamat, the Chairman, Alhaji Musoddiq Adele-Sanni; Prof. Saheed Timehin, Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University; Alhaji Muhammad Danmole, former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs and also President Muslim Committee of Lagos State and the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla during the 2026 MGDIL on Sunday in Lagos | NAN Islamic scholars and experts have warned that poor documentation, weak governance and inadequate sanitation threaten the sustainability of some mosques in Lagos.
What timeline or key figures were confirmed?
L-R: memeber Mosque Guidance and Development, Lagos Initiative (MGDIL); Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamat, the Chairman, Alhaji Musoddiq Adele-Sanni; Prof. Saheed Timehin, Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University; Alhaji Muhammad Danmole, former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs and also President Muslim Committee of Lagos State and the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla during the 2026 MGDIL on Sunday in Lagos | NAN Islamic scholars and experts have warned that poor documentation, weak governance and inadequate sanitation threaten the sustainability of some mosques in Lagos.
