Introduction of Ahmadiyyat in Nigeria:
There were three divergent accounts of when and how Ahmadiyyat was introduced to Nigeria. Of these accounts, the one that eventually gained ascendancy and with some documentary backing, is the one that linked the introduction of the Jama’at, through a liberal-minded Christian called: Dr. Oguntola Odunmbaku (alias: Orisha Sapara).
However, one common thing with all these accounts is that: the pioneer members of the Jama’at in Nigeria were able to establish contacts with the Jama’at centre in Qadian, through copies of the Review of Religions, a publication of the Jama’at, established by the holy founder of the Jama’at himself, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (r.a.) in 1902, that were stumbled on, one way or the other and from which the address of the Jama’at centre was obtained; which implied that: the publication (Review of Religions) was eventually the medium through which the Jama’at was introduced to the country; irrespective of whoever was responsible for bringing it.
Also, of all the different dates in the different accounts of when the Jama’at actually started in the country, the one that also gained ascendancy with documentary evidence, is that one that put the establishment of the Jama’at into Nigeria in the first quarter of the year 1916.
This was a period during which Muslims in Nigeria were being marginalized by their Christian fellow country people and, consequently, were so backward to the ridiculous extent that many Muslims were not bold enough to declare their faith in public, due to their impoverished knowledge of Islam. So, stumbling on anything introducing Ahmadiyyat to the country at this period, was a great relief that had long been sought.
Then, armed with the copies of the Review of Religions, some educated youths came together to form a Muslim Youth Organization and, following the address on the Review of Religions, they started communicating with the Jama’at Centre in Qadian, while more copies of the publication were being mailed to them for their training. Hence, within a short period, bai’ats of the first twenty-one pioneer members of the Jama’at in Nigeria were dispatched to Qadian in March, 1916.
Later, as time went by, these new converts wrote the Jama’at Centre in Qadian to request for a Missionary, who would take them through the true tenets of Islam, as being propounded by the Ahmadiyya Jama’at.
From that time onward, though through thick and thin, the Jama’at continued to make steady progress in leaps and bounds, in all facets, so much that, today, it can be boldly declared that the Jama’at has been well established in more than seventy-five percent of the thirty-six federating States of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).
Now, with the branches of the Jama’at actively existing in almost six hundred Cities, Towns and Villages across all the geo-political zones of the country, its members are now always being recognized everywhere, for championing the course of true Islamic principles, values and practices; especially by well-meaning and truth-loving members of the larger society.
Many members of the Jama’at in their various fields of the country’s economic, social, and political life, have always proved their worth as true ambassadors of Islam-i-Ahmadiyya, to the admiration and appreciation of whoever has any cause to interact with them.
Mosques, mission houses and centres of the Community:
By the special grace of Allah the Almighty, within the spate of the Jama’at first century of existence in Nigeria, Mosques or/and Prayer Centres, either constructed by, or donated to the Jama’at, spread across all the geo-political zones of the country, now number OVER ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED, while many more are still being planned.
In the same vein, Mission Houses, where Missionaries and other categories of Jama’at officers/workers are quartered, also in different parts of the country, also now number well ABOVE TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY; either owned by, donated to or rented by the Jama’at.
Some landmark achievements:
By Allah’s grace, the advent of Ahmadiyya in Nigeria, just a little above one century ago, has, not only opened the eyes of Muslim populace of the country to the inherent superior potentials of Islam and Muslims for the overall benefits of the entire society, but has also recorded various forms of outstanding achievements, that are now the pride of all Muslims and, of course, trail-brazing and pace-setting standard, which other Muslim groups are now struggling to either catch-up with, or, at least, try to emulate. For instance:
1. If sermons are now being translated into various local languages, for people of any locality to comprehend what is being said or read in Arabic, or if women now participate in prayers services in the mosques in any part of the country, it is simply because Ahmadiyya Jama’at, not only preached and exemplified it in practice, but was also consistent in explaining its propriety; even though ideas were vehemently opposed initially.
2. That the Jama’at established the first Muslim Primary School by any Muslim Organization in the country, followed it up with scores of others, including Colleges and High Schools, and then produced the first set Professionals in different fields of human endeavour (viz: Medicine, Law, Academics, etc), eventually opened the eyes of the Muslim populace in the country, to the indispensability of blending or combining Islamic education with Western education, which they all now pursue with vigour.
By Allah’s special grace, Schools and Colleges, either established by the national Jama’at through NJB, established by groups or individuals within the Jama’at system and in the name of the Jama’at, at different parts of the country, now number about TWENTY-EIGHT.
For instance, the Jama’at in Nigeria had, at different times, produced many high-ranking personalities in various fields of human endeavour, such as:
(a) First Military Governor of Ogun State, Major Gen. (rtd.) Seidu Ayodele Balogun
(b) An Assistant Inspector of Police (AIG) in the Nigeria Police Force; AIG Agbaje
(c) A Federal Legislator, Hon. Mutiu Shadimu, of the Federal House of Representatives
(d) An Assistant Director of Operations, Foreign Exchange Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Alhaji Zafrullah O. Elias.
(e) Professor Abdur Rahman Abdullah, a Professor of Animal Breeding and Production; Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State
(f) Professor Fehintola, a Professor of Pediatrics; University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital
(g) Professor Abdul Majeed Hassan Bello; Professor of Islamic Shari’a; University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
To mention, but just a few of them.
3. The establishment, Organization and Training systems of the Auxilliary bodies within the Jama’at system, (viz: Ansarullah, Khuddam/Atfal and Lajna Imaillah/Nasirat), which always stand them out among their respective peers in the larger society, anytime and anywhere, still baffle and dazzle other Muslim groups, especially the detractors of the Jama’at; as they cannot fathom the secrets of the Jama’at success in this regard.
4. The University proposed by the Nigeria Jama’at; graciously approved, blessed and named: MINARET INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah continue to be his Helper), is making steady progress and will take-off and commence academic activities soonest, by Allah’s special grace.
5. Another very remarkable and trail-blazing achievement of the Jama’at in Nigeria, which is still being viewed by the other Muslim groups in the country as being “too difficult” to venture into, let alone being matched by them, is the establishment of a post-secondary Institution (i.e. Jami’at-ul Mubashireen, formerly Ahmadiyya Missionary Training College), which has been in operation for about four decades now; from where scores of seasoned Missionaries are being turned-out on yearly basis (previously, it used to be on three years basis) and posted to different branches of the Jama’at across the country, for the training of people in the true principles and values of Islam.
6. Yet another landmark achievement of the Jama’at in Nigeria, is the translation of the whole of the Holy Qur’an and many other literature of the Jama’at, into, at least, the three major Languages in the country (viz: Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo Languages), in addition to that of English, which is the Nigeria lingua franca, at least for now.
Moving further, efforts have also reached advanced stage on the translation into additional two Languages:
(a) ETSAKO LANGUAGE: Being spoken in certain parts of South-South region; Edo State to be specific.
(b) TIV LANGUAGE: Being spoken in many parts of the Middle-Belt region of the country.
7. The Jama’at has also facilitated the establishment of the famous Humanity First International in Nigeria and has also partnered with the world-renowned Non-governmental Organization (NGO), in providing portable water, food, health care and educational facilities for different less/under-privileged rural communities across the different parts of the country, without any consideration for their religious, tribal or socio-political affliations; to mention, but just a few of the numerous achievements.
Publications of the Jamaat:
Another trail-blazing giant stride of the Jama’at in Nigeria, is the establishment of the FIRST (government-registered) weekly Muslim Newspaper –THE TRUTH Newspaper--, established since December, 1951, by the fourth Amir and Missionary Incharge of the Jama’at in Nigeria, Maulana Naseem Saifi; a Journalist and Public Relation expert of great repute.
Subsequently, the Jama’at has also, over time, added the under-listed Publications to its stable:
(a) JALSA BULLETIN: Being published once annually by the Jama’at Jalsa Salana Administrative Set-up; for the purpose of publishing the detailed programmes and proceedings, as well as any other important information about the annual gathering of the Jama’at.
(b) AL-IRFA’AN MAGAZINE (previously AL-BAYAAN); Being published by the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Nigeria, on a quarterly basis.
(c) AN-NASR MAGAZINE (formerly AD-DA’WAH): Being published by the Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Nigeria, twice yearly.
(d) SIDDEEQAH MAGAZINE: Being published by the Lajna Imaillah (Ahmadiyya) Nigeria, twice yearly.
(e) ADH-DHIKR (formerly AL-HIKMAH): This is an annual Journal of the Ahmadi Muslim Students’ Association, Nigeria, which is being published once annually.
All these are aside the annual Bulletins being published, once each, by the Majlis Ansarullah, on the occasion of their annual national Ijtema (Convention) and national Training Workshop respectively.
Jalsa Salana (The Annual Conference):
In line with the laid-down tradition of the Holy Founder of the Jama’at, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Al-Qadiani (a.s.), which is being replicated by the different countries of the world, where the Jama’at has been established, the Nigeria branch also inaugurated its own edition of the Jalsa Salana in 1940, during the tenure of the second Amir and Missionary Incharge of the Nigeria Jama’at, Maulana Fazl-ur Rahman Hakeem, with very few participants.
This three-day annual gathering of the Jama’at had been held consistently (annually) since then, (except on few occasions; maybe four or five years in-between, due to certain unavoidable circumstances); at different locations, as a result of high increase in the volume of participants; the last one held (in 2019) recording well over 38,000 participants, from across Nigeria and some neighbouring countries.
Some dignitaries who graced the Jalsa at different times:
1. A former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and a serving Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibajo, had personally attended different editions of the Jalsa, one after the other, and made highly complimentary remarks about the Jama’at.
2. Governors of some prominent States of the country, such as: Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, were at the different editions of the Jalsa Salana, while some others, either sent high-powered representatives or sent their Goodwill Messages to the Jalsa.
3. Also, Ministers, Legislators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as top grade Traditional Rulers from different parts of the country, had been special guests of the Jama’at at different editions of the Jalsa.
Visits of Khulafa-e-Masih-e-Maud:
The Nigeria Jama’at and, indeed the Nigeria nation, had enjoyed the gracious (physical) visits of Khulafa-i-Masih to the country of FIVE different occasions. Viz:
1. HAZRAT KHALIFAT-UL MASIH III, MIRZA HAFIZ NASIR AHMAD (r.a.); graced the country with his holy visits (first time of any Khalifa of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi visiting the country) twice (1970 and 1980); during which the now very famous axiom of the Jama’at world-wide –i.e. LOVE FOR ALL, HATRED FOR NONE—was first introduced to the Nigeria members of the Jama’at and the NUSRAT JAHAN BOARD (NJB) was also inaugurated for Africa.
2. HAZRAT KHALIFAT-UL MASIH IV, MIRZA TAHIR AHMAD (r.a.); graced the Nigeria soil with his holy visit once (1988), during which he personally presided over the historical Majlis Shoora of the Jama’at for that year and graciously appointed the first indigenous (a Nigerian) Amir and Missionary Incharge for the Jama’at, in person of Maulvi Abdur Rasheed Ahmad Agboola Sahib.
3. HAZRAT KHALIFAT-UL MASIH V, MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD (May Allah continue to be his Helper), has also graced the Nigeria soil with his holy visit twice (2004; less than one year after assuming office as the Khalifah, and 2008); during which he also personally presided over the special Jalsa Salana of the year (2008), held in commemoration of the centenary of the Khilafat-i-Ahmadiyya.
All these visits afforded the Nigeria Jama’at and, indeed, the entire Nigeria nation, the grace of benefitting immensely from: either the Khulafa initiating, approving or commissioning different developmental programmes or/and projects, for the progress of the Jama’at and overall blessings of the masses.
Certain Heads of the Nigeria government, High-ranking government functionaries, Captains of business empires, Traditional Rulers and other Interest group/Opinion Leaders, also benefitted greatly from these visits; by having personal meetings with successive Khulafa; for advice, counsellings and prayers; the positive results of which will be boldly written, on the pages of Nigeria history.
Impact of Khulafa on the progress of the Jama’at:
The Nigeria branch of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community can never be grateful enough to Allah the Almighty, for the gift of Khilafat, especially as it concerns the establishment, growth and progress of the Jama’at. Just one instance may suffice here, in this regard:
One of the major crisis in which the then fast-growing Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was engulfed, especially between the early 1930’s up to early 1940’s (not too long after the departure of Maulana Abdur Raheem Nayyar), was the one raised and fuelled by some self-seeking and mis-informed “front-line and well educated” members of the Jama’at, against the person of the then Amir and Missionary Incharge of the Jama’at, Maulana Fazl-ur Rahman Hakeem; not even minding wise intervention and adjudication of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (r.a.) on the issue, they still took the Jama’at and its leadership to Courts.
Even though most of the proceedings of the Courts-of-Law and the pronouncements of the presiding Judges were in favour of the Jama’at, Huzur (r.a.) withdrew his recognition of the membership of the dissidents, which eventually culminated into their secession from the Jama’at; he directed those who wished to remain with the Jama’at (under the leadership of the Khalifah) to re-new their bai’ats; forge all properties of the Jama’at (Mosques, Schools, etc.) to the seceeders and start the Jama’at all over again from the scratch.
To Allah the Almighty be the whole glory; the positive results that later emanated (and still continue to emanate) from the unconditional obedience and loyalty by the few seemingly poor members of the Jama’at, to the Khalifah, either to the Jama’at as a corporate body or to the individual members concerned, are innumerable and immeasurable; and they all remained (and shall continue to remain) ever-green legacies for generations yet unborn.
The Jama’at has since then continued to enjoy Allah’s blessings of being led by progressive leadership of the successive Amirs, for varying length of tenure, the incumbent Amir, ALHAJI (BARR.) ALATOYE FOLORUNSO AZEEZ SAHIB, who assumed office in July, 2019, being the FIFTEENTH Amir (including two of them who served in acting capacity); while MAULANA AFZAAL AHMAD RAUF SAHIB, the incumbent Missionary Incharge, being the FOURTH Missionary Incharge of the Nigeria Jama’at, since the office was separated from the office of the Amir, in 1994.
