Islamic community to launch N5bn social infrastructure fund in Lagos

The Island Muslim Community (IMC), a not-for-profit organisation, intends to launch a N5 billion social infrastructure fund to address shortage of cemeteries, orphanages, and hospitals for Muslims in Lagos.

Speaking during a press conference at the Lekki Central Mosque on Tuesday, Rafiu Ebiti, chairman of IMC’s board of trustees (BoT), said the fundraising event will take place on March 1, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ebiti harped on the urgent need for essential facilities in areas such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki Scheme 1, and Ibeju-Lekki.

He lamented that key facilities — including cemeteries, orphanages, hospitals for women and children, and halal recreation centres — are either inadequate or non-existent in these communities.

“This explains why we are embarking on an ambitious task of raising N5 billion for the provision of such essential Islamic social infrastructure for the teeming Muslim population in these areas,” Ebiti said.

The IMC chairman noted that many ancient cemeteries, such as Oke-Sunnah, Abari, and Ikoyi, are already overburdened, while alternative burial sites in highbrow areas fail to meet Islamic burial standards and are expensive.

“In view of this pressing challenge, we have made cemeteries our flagship project,” he said.

He added that IMC has secured a 15-acre land in Ikorodu for an Islamic cemetery, with work ongoing.

Additionally, he said negotiations are under way for land in Ibeju-Lekki and Epe to further expand burial spaces.

ORPHANAGES TO SAFEGUARD ISLAMIC UPBRINGING

Beyond cemeteries, Ebiti highlighted the need for more Muslim orphanages in Lagos, noting that there are currently fewer than five in the state.

“Undoubtedly, orphanages serve as veritable avenues for shaping the religious future of orphans. So, we need to have as many of them as possible to prevent Muslim children from being taken into non-Muslim orphanages,” he explained.

He said “a kind donor” has gifted the IMC a block of four flats to be converted into an orphanage.

Ebiti said renovations and modifications are under way to ensure the facility meets Lagos state government regulations.

WOMEN’S HOSPITAL TO UPHOLD DIGNITY, PRIVACY

The IMC is also set to establish a hospital that specifically caters to women and children, addressing concerns about Muslim women’s access to female doctors.

Shareefah Abiola-Andu, a member of the BoT, spoke about the dearth of hospitals where Muslim women can receive care from female healthcare providers.

“Muslim women want to be treated by female doctors, but there are hardly any hospitals designed to meet this need,” she said.

She added that a piece of land in Sangotedo has been donated for the project to bridge this gap.

According to Tijani Borodo, vice chairman of IMC, the hospital will be run under Islamic principles, with Muslim doctors and nurses ensuring compliance with Shari’ah.

“For the orphanage, we want to provide a conducive, faith-based environment where children can be raised in an organised Islamic setting,” he added.

Ariyo Olushekun, another BoT member, reassured that privacy will be guaranteed for women in the hospital, with separate sections for male and female patients.

While the hospital will be managed by Muslims, he clarified that it will serve people of all faiths.

The IMC leadership urged individuals and corporate organisations to attend the fundraising event and donate generously, noting that contributions will continue beyond the official launch.

“Even after the launch of the Social Infrastructure Fund, we expect donations to continue to sustain these projects throughout their lifetimes,” Ebiti said.