By Ibrahim Babangida Lawal
In a landmark celebration of Islamic scholarship, Abdusamad Bello, a student of Bayero University Kano (BUK), has emerged winner of the maiden Nigerian Universities Qur’anic Recitation Competition (NUQREC), held in Kano and hosted by BUK’s Centre for Qur’anic Studies in collaboration with the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN).
The national event, which brought together 54 student participants from 19 universities across the country, showcased excellence in Qur’anic memorisation and recitation, and was hailed by organisers as a milestone in promoting faith-based education within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, BUK Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, commended the organisers and participants for what he called a “commendable effort in promoting Islamic education.” He called on religious organisations, university authorities, and philanthropists to invest in similar initiatives across Nigerian campuses.
“This competition demonstrates the depth of Qur’anic knowledge and spiritual commitment among our students. It is a model that should be sustained and expanded,” Professor Abbas said.
Professor Ahmad Murtala, Director of the Centre for Qur’anic Studies, noted that the competition featured three categories—60 Hizb, 40 Hizb, and 20 Hizb, with winners selected based on accuracy, rhythm, tajweed, and overall mastery.
The Chief Judge, Gwani Professor Aliyu Haruna, praised the participants’ high level of discipline and recitation skills, describing the event as “a promising start to a national tradition that should be sustained.”
Winners and Prizes
60 Hizb Category
- 1st: Abdusamad Bello (BUK) – ₦700,000
- 2nd: Usman Ibrahim (Nasarawa State University, Keffi) – ₦500,000
- 3rd: Aliyu Abdullahi-Zubair (Federal University Dutsin-Ma) – ₦350,000
40 Hizb Category
- 1st: Usman Faruq-Yahuza (Al-Qalam University) – ₦500,000
- 2nd: Faisal Usman-Abubakar (BUK) – ₦350,000
- 3rd: Abubakar Sa’ad Abubakar (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) – ₦250,000
20 Hizb Category
- 1st: Saifullahi Sunusi (Federal University Birnin Kebbi) – ₦350,000
- 2nd: Sadiq Ahmad (BUK) – ₦250,000
- 3rd: Hamza Awaisu (Aliko Dangote University, Wudil) – ₦200,000
All other participants were awarded consolation prizes of ₦20,000 each.
Organisers say NUQREC will now become an annual event aimed at promoting Qur’anic learning within Nigeria’s higher education system while fostering spiritual and academic growth among students.
