Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Taofeek Akeugbagold, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intensify efforts towards increasing food production and bridging the gap between the rich and the poor.
Akeugbagold made this appeal during the Anwar-ul Islam College Agege Old Students’ Association (ACAOSA) 11th Annual Ramadan Lecture.
“The Islamic solution is for the government to eradicate or reduce the level of capitalism that is going on in the country. We need to close the gap between the rich and the poor.
“The poverty level is too high, and we are appealing to President Bola Tinubu—we know he is doing his best,” Akeugbagold said.
Akeugbagold emphasized that Islam provides solutions to Nigeria’s economic, social, and political challenges.
He noted that Islam is founded on principles such as love, trust, justice, equity, sharing, mutual respect, care for the poor, and participatory governance—values whose absence has hindered the nation’s growth.
The Islamic scholar appealed to President Tinubu to prioritize food production, citing the high poverty level in the country.
He also linked prevailing social decadence to parental failure but affirmed that Islam provides solutions not only to political and economic challenges but also to social problems in Nigeria.
Akeugbagold explained that Islam, through the principle of Zakat, offers a solution to poverty and inequality.
However, he lamented that division, hatred, and capitalism have prevented Islamic solutions from effectively working for the nation.
Other speakers at the event, including the President-General of ACAOSA Global, Dr Abdulfatai Afolabi, and Justice Ibrahim Olorunnimbe, emphasized the need for Islamic values and principles to address Nigeria’s challenges.
President Tinubu’s administration has already taken steps to address food security, including providing support to over 100 farmers in Kano to empower smallholder farmers and boost food production.
The administration aims to cultivate over 10 million hectares of land to grow essential food crops.
In a related development, Sheikh Jumah Ahmad, Founder and Al-Imam of Sofwatul-Amaanah Islamic Foundation of Nigeria, called for harmony among government arms to improve citizens’ lives.
Ahmad emphasized the importance of consultation, justice, and public interest in Islamic governance.
