The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Lagos Chapter, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this week with a series of events under the theme ‘Celebrating 40 years of FOMWAN’s Impactful Life and Legacy through Community Development and Humanitarian Services’.

The week-long program, which commenced on June 1, 2025, aims at reviewing past achievements, assessing current standing, and charting a course for future endeavours in community development and humanitarian aid.

Amirah, FOMWAN Lagos State Chapter, Alhaja Serifat Oluwatoyin Ajagbe, highlighted the organization’s four decades of dedicated service.

“Alhamdulillah Robbil Alamin for 40 years of propagation of Islam through Dawah, dedication to orphans, commitment to humanity, community development and humanitarian services, education, counselling, health and other related Islamic activities,”
she underscored the comprehensive nature of FOMWAN humanitarian work.

“FOMWAN focuses on various facets of community life. The organization regularly visits correctional centres, providing essential food items, clothes, and materials. They also sponsor inmates for WAEC examinations and Qur’anic graduations, and ensure skilled inmates are equipped with necessary tools for socio-economic reintegration. Monthly payments to Alfas for Qur’an classes in these centers further demonstrate their commitment to spiritual and educational development.

“Beyond correctional facilities, FOMWAN engages in advocacy to enlighten the masses on meaningful living. Their counseling services cater to drug addicts, offering referrals to the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, and providing pre-marital, marital, and post-marital guidance. In a significant partnership, FOMWAN collaborates with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its counseling center.”

She noted that community development is a cornerstone of FOMWAN’s mission. “Yearly, on World Water Day, the organisation inspects boreholes across all local councils to ensure their functionality, emphasizing access to clean water.

“We maintained strong relationships with state government ministries, including Education, Women and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), and Youth and Sports, to amplify their impact.

“Empowerment of our members is also a key focus. Through Zakat collections, individual donations and philanthropic contributions, FOMWAN provides grants, offers discounts on clothing, household materials, and food items, and supports members’ economic well-being. In the realm of education, FOMWAN operates tutorial centers and libraries, and provides scholarships to indigent students, fostering academic growth within the community.”

Ajagbe said this year’s 40th-anniversary theme strongly emphasised continuous advocacy through Community Development and Humanitarian Services.
She recognised the invaluable contributions of the National Chairperson of Humanitarian Services and Community Development, Alhaja Khairat Sodique, describing her as “Our Encyclopedia on Humanitarian in FOMWAN, a seasoned writer, erudite scholar and author.”

Also she acknowledged the Assistant Coordinator South West, Alhaja Sariyu Sanusi, the Iyaloja of Makoko, Ministry Officials, Local Government Amirahs, and the formidable youth members of FOMWAN.

The National Chairperson of Humanitarian Services and Community Development, Alhaja Khairat Sodique, explained, detailing the evolution of her committee.

“Recognizing a broader need, the committee transformed its focus in line with a five-year strategic plan from 2012 to 2017, becoming the Community Development and Humanitarian Services committee.

Under this new mandate, FOMWAN embarked on comprehensive humanitarian activities, starting with feasibility studies and provision of necessities for correctional centers and remand homes.

“The organization then expanded to adopt communities, recognizing their diverse needs. In Lagos State, for instance, FOMWAN adopted Makoko, addressing the critical lack of potable water by providing boreholes. This community-centric approach is replicated nationwide, with each state identifying and tackling pressing local issues.”

She noted that over the years, FOMWAN’s projects have spanned a wide range of essential services, including Community Infrastructure, Water provision, Environmental beautification, Covid-19 response and skills acquisition and economic empowerment.

“FONWAN helped to combat open defecation and organised market clean-up drives. We dug boreholes and wells and providing generators to ensure access to clean water. “We Launch tree and flower planting initiatives across states, starting with secretariats and extending to communities. “During the 2020-2022 pandemic, FOMWAN utilized 42 radio stations nationwide to broadcast vital public health messages on social distancing, hand washing and cleanliness to over 600,000 people.

“We also organised online training with a global disinfectant company, empowering members to produce sanitisers, face masks, and handwash, some of whom have since achieved economic self-sufficiency. “FOMWAN shifted its focus inward, promoting local skills like weaving baskets and mats, producing slippers and nylon bags, and traditional food preparation. This initiative, aimed at self-sustainability, has enabled many members to generate income.

“We Recognised the need for sustainable funding, FOMWAN established economic programs, including an industry in Abuja headquarters, factories in other states, market stores for rent, and event centers, all contributing to the organisation’s financial independence while maintaining our core humanitarian mission,” she said.