Winners have emerged in the second edition of the Ramadan Quran Competition, hosted by Sultan Hanafi Royal College, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Abdulrahman Abdulgafar won the full Quran recitation category. Baqy Anofi came first in the one-third Quran recitation. Gazali Abdullah topped the one-tenth category, while Badmus Muiz won the Call to Prayer (Adhan) contest. Abubakry Solih also claimed victory in Arabic oratory.

Over N1.5 Million Awarded to Winners

The college’s director, Ahmed Sulaimon, announced that the school awarded N1.5 million in total prizes. He described the competition as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s Islamic education space.

“This is just the second edition, yet it is already the most impactful Quran competition in Nigeria,” Sulaimon said. “Other schools have started to emulate us, but we remain at the forefront. Our aim is to make it an international event, attracting participants from the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.”

Closing the Quranic Education Gap

Founder of the college, Zakaria Hanafi, explained that the event seeks to bridge the Quranic education gap between Northern and Southern Nigeria.

He said, “In Southwest Nigeria, Quranic education receives little attention. Yet, the Quran is essential to both this life and the Hereafter. This competition helps draw focus back to it.”

Widespread Participation and Rigorous Screening

The competition attracted students from Islamic institutions across the South-west. Organizers began the selection process online, asking students to submit short video recordings. Participants had to recite Quran verses with proper Tajweed, showing both their faces and voices clearly.

After careful screening, a panel of judges selected the top performers for the live finals held at the college’s premises in Ikorodu.

Nigeria Leads in Quran Memorisation

Hanafi highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in Quran memorisation globally. “Nigeria ranks number one in the world for the number of Quran memorizers,” he said. “We now surpass even Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.”

During the finals, students who had memorised the entire Quran were tested live. Judges gave them random verses and asked them to continue reciting from memory.

Quran Study Offers Social Benefits

Hanafi emphasized the Quran’s role in shaping society. He noted that its teachings help reduce social ills and promote good conduct.

“The Quran commands prayer, fasting, and Hajj. It forbids corruption, theft, and immorality,” he said. “If more people truly studied the Quran, we’d see fewer societal problems.”

The competition not only celebrated excellence but also renewed focus on the Quran as a source of moral guidance. Organizers hope to expand its reach and continue shaping a generation grounded in Islamic values.