Kewulere Adam Olasunkanmi, a distinguished scholar and former Amīr (President) of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) at Lagos State University (LASU), hails from the vibrant community of Ajegunle in Lagos State, Nigeria. Despite his roots in Kwara State, Kewulere’s academic and spiritual pursuits have transcended regional boundaries, marking him as a notable figure in Islamic education and leadership.
At 27 years old, Kewulere has already achieved remarkable academic success, graduating with first-class honours in Islamic Studies Education from LASU and currently advancing his knowledge in Islamic Psychology at the International Open University. Motivated by his early exposure to Islamic education and inspired by his secondary school teachers’ teaching methods, Kewulere has dedicated his life to understanding and integrating Islamic knowledge with contemporary educational practices. In this interview with Abdulhaqq Obisesan, Kewulere shares insights into his motivations, experiences, and strategies that have enabled him to excel both academically and as a leader. Excerpts.
Please share with Edugist a little about yourself and your background.
My name is Kewulere Adam Olasunkanmi, former Amīr (President) of MSSN-LASU. I hail from the southwestern part of Nigeria, Lagos State, Ajegunle precisely, though I’m from Kwara State (Moro Local Government, Maleta). I am 27 years of age, born into a family of thirteen, and I am the ninth. I attended Daru Sa`adah for my elementary Qur’anic knowledge as well as Idadiyyah and Markazul Falah at Ilogbo for my Thanāwiyyah, where I graduated with distinctions from both Islamic and Arabic schools. I also completed a distance learning diploma program in Shari`ah Law at Zad Academy (Makkah), graduating with upper-class honours. I graduated as a first-class student of Islamic Studies Education (B.Ed) from Lagos State University. I am currently a 200-level student at the International Open University pursuing a degree in Islamic Psychology (B.Sc). I derive pleasure in teaching and studying from a young age. I am single and ask Allah for the best.
What motivated you to pursue a degree in Islamic Studies Education?
Actually, I was motivated by my secondary school teachers due to their methods and strategies of teaching. Additionally, I wanted to learn how to balance Islamic knowledge with Western educational methods.
How did you get your first exposure to Islamic education, and what drew you to this field?
I was exposed to Islamic education at a tender age and was drawn to this field to contribute to its betterment.
What were some of the challenges you faced during your early education in Islamic studies?
I can’t say precisely if I faced any challenges during my early education in Islamic studies.
Were there any courses that you found particularly challenging?
In retrospect, I think some of the educational courses were challenging then. But I later got them right with consistency and self-determination.
Was there motivation behind becoming the Amir of Lagos State University?
No, I never thought of becoming the Amīr (President) of MSSN-LASU; it was only destined by the Almighty, and I accepted it as a trust given to me by Allah (God) and the Muslim populace on campus. But I’ll advise anyone who the Ummah has chosen to have great zeal and determination to serve Allah through his servant and expect the utmost reward from Allah alone.
Can you describe the responsibilities and duties of the Amir at the university?
This encompasses all administrative duties/tasks, which are not limited to promulgation of Da`wah as well as providing welfare for the students on campus and being concerned about their well-being.
What were some of the significant challenges you encountered in your role as an Amir, and how did you address them?
Challenges are inevitable, especially for a leader with focus and a working agenda. I faced challenges from different angles, which weren’t limited to the ones from school management, the Muslim community, or the student body, as well as balancing my academic pursuits on campus.
How did you balance your responsibilities as an Amir with your academic studies?
With the guidance of Allah and then my mentor, above all, Mr. Yahyah I.O, my course advisor, I navigated the challenging terrain of balancing academic pursuits with leadership responsibilities. The journey was far from easy; however, through unwavering consistency and determination, I triumphed over the obstacles. I strategically spent my time with individuals who shared progressive ideas on academic and religious matters. Also, the urgent-important matrix of Eisenhower assisted me a lot, and I implore all and sundry to use it as a guide.
I’ll advise you to download my work on “A Reflective Sojourn Through My Academic Pursuit on Campus: Scholarship and Amirship,” a book I published on the day of my convocation. In this work, I discussed extensively how I was able to achieve more than the expected standard.
Can you share some memorable experiences or achievements during your tenure as Amir?
My biggest achievement during my days in office was serving Allah Almighty through His servant (the Muslim ummah) under the awning of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN-LASU Branch) for two consecutive years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic sessions) and still being able to balance my academics despite the challenges. I’m proud of this achievement. Glory be to Almighty Allah, I never once dodged it, and I came, saw, dominated, and conquered.
What strategies did you use to manage your time and stay focused on your academic goals?
I think I already provided a response to this in question nine.
Do you have any role models you look up to?
Yes, my course advisor (Mr. Yahyah I.O) from Lagos State University, LASU, and my beloved brother (Mr. Kewulere Abdulwasi Olayimika) from Kwara State University, KWASU.
After your bachelor’s degree, what next?
This should be a rhetorical question because Almighty Allah has knowledge of the days to come. Ours is to believe and submit to whatever He has destined. However, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of leadership and academic excellence, striving to leave a lasting legacy and ensure a positive outcome in this world and the hereafter. My ultimate aspiration is to lead a life characterized by righteousness and virtue, leaving behind a legacy that extends beyond my time.
