Abdulganiyu Abdulrahman Akanbi is a freelance journalist and the former convener of the University Scholars’ Forum. He graduated with a First Class from the Department of Islamic Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) in the 2022/2023 session, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.96, making him the overall best student of the university. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, he speaks about his academic journey, the position of Islamic law on terrorism and banditry, the almajiri system, among other issues.
Was studying Islamic Studies your original choice? And why did you choose Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) for it?
Not at all. Islamic studies was not my original choice of study, but Law. I had to change from Law to Political Science after a failed attempt to gain admission into the University of Ilorin in 2017. Before the next UTME examination, I changed my thought to study Islamic Studies because I have a solid background in the area. I have been a student of Islamic knowledge right from an early age.
As for my choice of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, I chose the university because I believed it would be a university that aligns with my interests.
When one is studying Islamic Studies, what exactly are they studying — religion and Arabic? Did you have non-Muslim classmates or coursemates while studying the course?
Yes, they majorly study the religion of Islam and not necessarily the Arabic language. Although the major sources of Islam are originally in Arabic and are considered in that form as the best and most pure, students of Islamic studies are not obliged to study Arabic as a course according to the Nigerian curriculum.
Someone who doesn’t have any background in Arabic can successfully study Islamic Studies, but might not master the course meticulously as expected because of his or her lack of understanding of Arabic. In short, understanding Arabic is very important in the study of Islamic Studies.
As for my classmates, all are Muslims. I don’t know of other universities in the southern part of the country, but such doesn’t exist in the North, especially a revered institution like UDUS that is named after a great Islamic scholar who impacted the whole of Africa.
How does being the first to attain a CGPA of 4.96, since the history of your university, make you and your family feel?
I feel elated and blessed by Allah. It was a dream come true — a compliment to my efforts and the manifestation of Allah’s favour in my life. Being the greatest academic so far in my family, I and my family members feel the best and are still happy for the unique blessing.
Which courses prevented you from attaining a perfect CGPA of 5.0 and why?
Two courses prevented me from attaining a perfect CGPA of 5.0. The first one was in my 100 level, a two-unit course dealing with purification in Islam. I had a C in the course. Although I wasn’t happy with the development because I felt that was not what I worked for, I sought the assistance of my seniors and lecturers on what to do and they advised me to accept it in good faith and try to improve in subsequent exams. The second one was in my 200 level when I got a B in another 2-unit course dealing with Hadith studies, one of my favourite courses. I had to resort to destiny and move on.
As a human being, no one will feel happy in this kind of situation. But as a Muslim, and especially a student of Islam, one would tend to believe that everything has been predestined and the best Allah has willed for me.
As the overall best student and valedictorian, what was the major highlight of your speech on the convocation day?
I didn’t have the opportunity to present a speech at the convocation.
However, if I had the privilege, I would have sincerely appreciated the Almighty Allah for His infinite mercy. Then, I would thank my parents and siblings for their spiritual, moral, and financial support; Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto for the enabling environment to develop my intellectual prowess and horn my skills; and all my lecturers, colleagues, and friends who have immensely contributed to my academic success.
Specially, I would express my sincere appreciation to Associate Professor Attahir Shehu Mainiyo, Associate Professor Ahmad Maigari Dutsinma, Professor Muntaqa Yahya Al-Amin, Professor Vaffi Today Sheriff, and Adam Yusuf Adam. Also, I deeply appreciate the significant role and understanding rendered by my prospective legitimate spouse, Isa Khadijat Oyepeju.
What was the title of your final-year project and what were the major findings from it?
The title of my final year project is ‘The practice of cryptocurrency among Muslim youths in Ilorin Metropolis: Analysis from Islamic perspectives’.
Some of the major findings posit that the practice of cryptocurrencies has potential implications, mostly negative, on the social, moral, economic, and religious life of Muslim youths in the Ilorin Metropolis. The study provides solutions and recommendations for the government, scholars, and cryptocurrency users.
I appreciate my supervisor, Professor Isa Muhammad Maishanu, for the role he played in the success of my research work and my academic journey.
What were the major challenges you faced as a student and how did you manage them?
The major challenge for me was the weather conditions in Sokoto. It is extremely hot and cold. My body reacted negatively to the weather conditions and that caused my health to suffer. I was a frequent visitor to the clinic because of that.
The inability to get some needed reading materials, such as relevant Islamic books, also posed a challenge. Though I had access to the Internet, I prefer reading physical books. I was able to utilise the library and used money meant for food and some secondary needs to buy books.
How do you think the course you studied is relevant to the labour market and Nigerian society?
Islamic studies is very relevant because it deals with all aspects of life. It captures medicine, law, politics, governance, economics, and banking. The scope of Islamic studies is vast and accommodating, though with foundational principles.
I believe as a graduate of Islamic studies, I’m relevant in all fields. There are a lot of graduates of Islamic studies working in different sectors of the economy and are doing well. We also have prominent individuals who studied and used the course to attain a great height in their lives and contributed significantly to the development of the country, such as Professor Isiaq Oloyede, the JAMB registrar.
Some have argued that to attain religious harmony in Nigeria, the three main religions — Islam, Christianity, and African Traditional Religion — should be taught together at the basic education level. What is your take on this?
I do not think there is a solution to this. From records, there is no success. Generally, I would say those fundamental values and ethics should be taught to students right from the basic level.
Terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping have been a serious threat to peace and progress in most northern states in Nigeria. Why do you think that Islamic laws, clergies, and leaders have not been able to address these menaces, even when most of the perpetrators are Muslims?
I do not know how and what data supported the claim that the perpetrators of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping are largely Muslims. However, all these acts are prohibited in Islam and have serious punishments under Islamic law.
You know these issues are under criminal law and no state in Nigeria is implementing Shari’ah when it comes to criminal issues. This is because the constitution of the country has limited the application of Islamic law to personal matters. Whereas, Islamic law is a holistic way of life and legal system with the potential to solve all these problems.
To tackle these security challenges highlighted above, I opine a full adoption of Islamic Law (Shari’ah) as our way of life and legal system in those states and even beyond. If that’s done, let’s wait and see the result. Within a few months, I believe we will have a positive outcome.
The almajiri system of education and way of life in the North has been a challenge rather than a solution to this region. Do you think secular education is the best way forward for these children? Or what would you recommend as a sustainable solution to this age-long socio-religious problem?
Let the implementation of Shari’ah come in full force, and I believe the problem will be solved. Shari’ah comprises guidance on child upbringing and, specifically, education. The roles of the parents, society, and the authorities are well spelt out. That said, Shari’ah is not against secular education ─ it welcomes it. This is because knowledge is common in all communities. It is a value for all. Everyone must have it. Just that Shari’ah will not allow anything that goes contrary to its fundamental principles.
What is your advice to students who are aspiring to achieve the kind of academic feat you achieved?
My advice is simple. They should be passionate about academic excellence and pursue it with all their strength. This means that they have to be dedicated, focused, and resilient, while they read beyond the materials given by lecturers and lessons taught in the four walls of the classroom. This will widen their knowledge of the subject matter.
And, prayer is very important.