The Central Mosque of the Federal University of Education (FUE), Zaria, was officially reopened on Friday in a ceremony that highlighted philanthropy, institutional support, and education-focused community development.
The rebuilt 4000-capacity mosque was financed by Kano businessman and Chairman of the A. A. Rano Group, Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, and reopened for Jumu’ah and daily prayers before a gathering of traditional rulers, lawmakers, academics, and Islamic scholars.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure described it as one of the largest and most sophisticated mosque projects undertaken by the philanthropist nationwide, commending AA Rano’s “selfless commitment” to the university community.
The complex extends beyond a place of worship to include a clinic, conference hall, cafeteria, offices, a lodge, a secretariat for the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), 22 commercial shops, and a solar-powered electricity system to ensure uninterrupted power.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, announced the donation of a new ambulance for the mosque clinic and pledged ₦20 million for facility maintenance. He also promised support for a proposed Islamic Centre within the complex.
Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, called the mosque a landmark development for the emirate and urged stakeholders to prioritize its upkeep to preserve its long-term value.
Prof. Muhammad Arsalan said the project originated during consultations with former Provost and current Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Suleiman Balarabe, and was later presented to AA Rano during Umrah in Makkah in 2024.
Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad Bn Uthman noted that the project illustrates how religious infrastructure can serve as a hub for social development, community guidance, and humanitarian support.
The commissioning drew thousands of worshippers, university officials, clerics, traditional title holders, heads of institutions, and representatives of the Christian community, underscoring its significance within and beyond the university.
