Abuja: The National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS), Sheikh Fuad Adeyemi, has urged Nigerians to embrace ethical philanthropy as a pathway to addressing the country’s economic challenges and deepening national development. Adeyemi made the call during a news conference in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 National Philanthropy Day under the Faith and Philanthropy Initiative of the Society.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme ‘Giving with Purpose: Philanthropy Through a Faith Lens’ reflects AIS’s belief that philanthropy must go beyond financial donations to include meaningful connections, measurable impact, and shared prosperity. Adeyemi emphasized that true philanthropy is about giving meaning to lives, building genuine human connections, and ensuring that every act of kindness leads to lasting change and shared prosperity.
NAN reports that the Society has, over the past seven months, conducted a nationwide sensitisation tour across selected states to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible giving among faith communities. The engagements revealed that Nigerians were naturally generous but sought assurance that their contributions would be applied responsibly for visible impact.
According to him, the Faith and Philanthropy Initiative brought together Muslim and Christian leaders, civil society groups, and development partners to explore how faith-driven giving could help tackle poverty, unemployment, and educational inequality. AIS has also undertaken study tours in Turkey and Malaysia to examine effective global philanthropic models, with another tour planned in Morocco to strengthen its impact strategies.
Adeyemi stated that philanthropy should be viewed as a strategic investment in human capital and a complementary tool for economic growth, supporting government efforts in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. He urged the Federal Government to officially designate November 15 as National Philanthropy Day, following the example of countries like Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States, to institutionalize ethical giving as a national value.
The Islamic scholar also called for the creation of an Office of Religious Affairs to coordinate faith-based initiatives, promote interfaith collaboration, and enhance the role of religious platforms in sustainable development. He appealed to government agencies at all levels to work more closely with Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) to strengthen social protection programmes aimed at poverty reduction and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Adeyemi encouraged the private sector to broaden its support beyond the entertainment industry by investing in interfaith programmes that promote unity, inclusivity, and social cohesion. He stressed the importance of effective data mobilisation and management for poverty-alleviation efforts, advocating for closer government-FBO collaboration in this area.
According to him, philanthropy must become a sustained national lifestyle rooted in empathy, integrity, and collective purpose. He expressed confidence that if every Nigerian gives with purpose and heart, guided by ethical principles and clear goals, millions can be lifted out of poverty, communities can become resilient, and development can be accelerated in line with the SDGs.
NAN reports that the event was attended by Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, NGOs, entrepreneurs, and academia.