Nigerian scholar’s remarkable journey from Ilorin to Cairo earns him Al-Azhar University’s highest academic honour

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

A 27-year-old alumnus of Darul-Kitab Wa Sunnah College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Gaa-Akanbi, Ilorin, Muhammadul-Awwal Babatunde, has emerged as the overall best graduating student of the prestigious Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

The college, founded nearly three decades ago by the Ubandoma of Ilorin Emirate, Sheikh Dr. Abdulkadir As-Salman Oba Sholagberu—one of the Imams and Khateeb of the National Mosque, Abuja—sponsored Muhammadul-Awwal’s full scholarship to study Arabic at Al-Azhar’s Language Development Centre in 2020.

Investigations confirmed that the young scholar graduated with the rare distinction of “Excellent First Class with Highest Honors,” emerging not only as the best in his faculty but the overall best across all faculties of the entire university.

Sharing his journey, Muhammadul-Awwal said he was born on July 2, 1998, into a family deeply rooted in the love of knowledge and faith. Originally from Ikirun, Osun State but born in Kaduna, he later moved with his family to Ilorin, where he spent most of his life.

He excelled early, finishing both primary and junior secondary education at Ahbabul-Deenil-Islami School, Ilorin, as the best graduating student. In 2017, he completed his studies at Darul-Kitab Was Sunnah College—again emerging as the best student. He briefly studied Food Science at the University of Ilorin before receiving the transformative scholarship to Al-Azhar.

Entering one of Al-Azhar’s toughest faculties—Arabic Language, Usul al-Din, and Shari’ah—he was warned about its difficulty, but the challenge fueled his passion. Encouraged by early success and driven by personal prayers and purpose, he dedicated his journey to honouring his late mother, his sacrificial father, and his teachers at Darul-Kitab Was Sunnah.

His outstanding performance earned him an award of academic excellence from Al-Azhar Sheriff—a rare honour reserved for exceptional scholars.

Muhammadul-Awwal not only topped Egyptians and other international students, but also set a historic milestone as a Nigerian emerging the best among students from over 40 countries. He described the achievement as both an honour and a responsibility, reflecting the strength of Nigerian scholarship and the global impact of Darul-Kitab Wa Sunnah.

He expressed gratitude and humility, affirming his commitment to serve his community, elevate Nigerian scholarship, and contribute meaningfully to Islamic knowledge worldwide.

Source: The Authority News