How MSSN UNILAG Shapes Muslim Students

By Success Essien, Jacinta Emeka, Ajibola Oyindamola, Akpobi Oluwatosin, Thomas Peace and Banwo Ayomide 

At the University of Lagos, students constantly juggle lectures, assignments and campus life. For Muslim students, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) is more than a religious group. It is a lifeline. From early morning Qur’an classes to mentorship programmes and academic seminars, MSSN equips students with the discipline, focus and moral grounding needed to thrive in every aspect of university life.

Muhammad AbdusSalam, a 400-level Petroleum and Gas Engineering student and president of MSSN UNILAG, explains that the society’s mission is holistic. “Everything we do is designed to help students succeed while growing as individuals,” he said. “Both in your academic life, your spiritual life and being morally upright.”

One of MSSN’s flagship initiatives is the Tahfiz class, held Monday to Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., where students memorise the Qur’an. AbdusSalam explains, “It teaches discipline. It prepares your mind for the day ahead and instils habits that carry over into academics and personal life.” 

Alongside this, the society organises weekly prayers and teaching academies. “We also teach about our core, the religious aspect,” he added. “It is not just about doing an activity. It is about building spiritual strength, focus and discipline.”

Academics are also central to MSSN’s work. The society runs tutorial and academic counselling seminars to help students access study materials, understand difficult topics and complete projects successfully. “We also have programmes that help students source resources they may need,” AbdusSalam said. 

Faculty-based sub-associations ensure that these initiatives reach all departments. “Some students think education is a scam. We try to bring them back to the right mindset and show them the value of learning,” he said.

Mentorship is a key part of MSSN’s support system, particularly for freshers. “We walk with them from the moment they get admission to university life,” he said. “We expose them to the campus, help them navigate academics, and even organise activities like shared meals to take care of them.” These programmes give freshers a sense of belonging and support as they settle into university life.

The impact of these efforts is tangible. AbdusSalam shared a story of a student who entered UNILAG with little knowledge of Islam. “Through MSSN, the student memorised the entire Qur’an and graduated with a first-class degree. That is the kind of growth we aim for where students thrive spiritually, academically and personally,” he said.

MSSN also promotes moral values like integrity, accountability and hard work. “In our weekly gatherings, we discuss these traits. We want students to stand out not just academically but also morally,” the president added. Beyond the Muslim community, the society encourages peaceful coexistence with students of other faiths and supports anyone facing challenges, including those who cannot afford meals. “We extend our blessings to everyone and respect all backgrounds,” he said.

Balancing academics, faith and personal life can be challenging, but MSSN’s structured programmes are designed to fit students’ schedules. “We fix our daily Qur’an class at a time that will not interfere with other activities.” “When exams are coming, we suspend programmes so students can prepare fully.”

Looking ahead, MSSN UNILAG plans to expand its programmes and introduce initiatives that further engage students academically, spiritually and socially. “We look forward to programmes that interact with students more and equip them with practical skills,” AbdusSalam said.

For him, MSSN is more than an association. “It is a community that nurtures students into well-rounded individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to society,” he noted.