Islamic scholars advocate ethical, skills-driven economy

Speakers at the presentation of a book on entrepreneurship in Islam have called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s education system, urging students to embrace skills acquisition and entrepreneurship to meet labour market demands. The call was made at the launch of “Entrepreneurship in Islam: Balancing Profit and Purpose,” authored by Prof. Musa Olaofe, an Islamic […]

Speakers at the presentation of a book on entrepreneurship in Islam have called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s education system, urging students to embrace skills acquisition and entrepreneurship to meet labour market demands.

The call was made at the launch of “Entrepreneurship in Islam: Balancing Profit and Purpose,” authored by Prof. Musa Olaofe, an Islamic scholar and academic at the University of Abuja.

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said Nigeria’s national curriculum must be restructured to reflect current economic realities.

“There is a need to reform our national curriculum so that greater emphasis is placed on skills acquisition that leads to entrepreneurship,” he said, noting that aligning education with practical skills would promote self-reliance and reduce unemployment.

The National Missioner and Chief Imam of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad, said Islamic teachings clearly define legitimate and illegitimate economic activities to promote justice and fairness.

“Allah has set the rules of what is lawful and unlawful to ensure balance, justice and equity in society,” he said, adding that entrepreneurship guided by Islamic principles can serve both economic and moral purposes.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, described the book as a significant contribution to Islamic scholarship and contemporary economic discourse, praising its intellectual depth and moral clarity.

In his remarks, Prof. Olaofe said Islam encourages productivity and lawful enterprise, urging Muslims to be industrious in ways that support their families and contribute to societal development while adhering to ethical standards.