The maiden edition of the Muslim Economic Summit (MES 1.0), a major initiative designed to empower youths, women, and businesses through ethical finance, enterprise, and collaboration, has been announced.
The summit, themed “Faith, Finance & the Future: Empowering Youths, Women & Businesses for a Prosperous Ummah,” is scheduled to take place on January 17-18, 2026, at the University of Lagos DIL Main Auditorium.
Organised as a first-of-its-kind platform, the Muslim Economic Summit aims to redefine financial empowerment within the Muslim Ummah by bringing together Islamic finance experts, entrepreneurs, scholars, and development partners to explore practical approaches for sustainable growth in the halal economy.
Speaking ahead of the press conference, President of Muassasat Nasrul Ilm Wa Da’awat Foundation (MNIDF) and spokesperson for the organising committee, Alhaji Ibraheem Olayinka Adigun, said, “This summit is not just another conference – it is a movement towards economic renewal for our people. We want to equip our youth and women with the tools, training, and partnerships they need to succeed ethically in business and in life. MES 1.0 is a vision to build a prosperous Ummah, powered by knowledge, enterprise, and collaboration.”
The Muslim Economic Summit serves as a strategic platform for sponsors and partners, offering opportunities for corporate organisations, financial institutions, development agencies, and faith-based enterprises to promote ethical business models while expanding their visibility among Nigeria’s growing Muslim population.
CEO of Modo Ante Consulting, Mr. Joko Okupe, whose firm is the event’s strategic management and communications partner, described the summit as “an impactful vehicle for both social and corporate value creation. We are creating a legacy platform that merges faith-based values with practical economic innovation. For sponsors, it’s a chance to associate with an initiative that not only uplifts lives but also builds lasting goodwill and brand equity among a fast-growing demographic of ethical consumers.”
According to the organisers, partnership packages will enable supporting brands to align with empowerment programs, capacity-building projects, and the launch of the Sustainable Waqf Fund – a long-term financing initiative designed to sustain future empowerment efforts within the Muslim community.
Speaking on the empowerment efforts before the summit, Alhaji Adigun said, “In the run-up to the main event, over 1,000 youths and women have been engaged in a 6–8 weeks hybrid pre-summit training program covering digital marketing, urban farming, solar installation, and mini-import/export, all tailored to help participants build self-sustaining, Shariah-compliant businesses. Certificates will be awarded during the summit.”
