The rebuilt Central Mosque of the Federal University of Education (FUE), Zaria, was on Friday 8th May, 2026 officially reopened for Jumu’ah and the five daily prayers amid commendations and prayers for philanthropist and Chairman of the A. A. Rano Group of Companies, Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano – AA Rano, for funding the project.
This was contained in a statement signed by the VC media aide,Sani Lawal maqarphy made available to newsmen.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, welcomed dignitaries and expressed profound appreciation to Alhaji A.A. Rano for what he described as a selfless commitment to the rebuilding and expansion of the mosque.
Prof. Bunkure described the mosque as one of the biggest and finest constructed by the Kano-based business mogul anywhere in the country.
The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Chairman of the Governing Council, Amb. Baba Ahmad Jidda, OFR, management, staff and students of the university, also appreciated the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, OFR; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abbas Tajudeen; Prof. Muhammad Arsalan; and other contributors to the success of the project.
He highlighted some of the facilities incorporated into the mosque complex, including plans to establish an Islamic Centre within the facility, and appealed to the Speaker and other stakeholders for support toward its actualisation.
Giving a report on the reconstruction, Prof. Muhammad Arsalan said the idea for the project originated from discussions with the former Provost/Acting Vice-Chancellor and now Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Suleiman Balarabe, before approaching Alhaji A. A. Rano during Umrah in Makkah in late 2024.
He urged leaders and wealthy individuals to invest in projects that would benefit humanity and advance the cause of Islam.
In his remarks, Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, Chairman of the A. A. Rano Group of Companies thanked Almighty Allah for granting success in the execution of the project from commencement to completion and prayed for divine blessings upon all those who contributed in one way or another.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Suleiman Balarabe, expressed delight that the project initiated during his tenure had reached completion, while commending the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, for sustaining the momentum.
Also speaking, Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad Bn Uthman praised Alhaji A.A. Rano for investing in the cause of Allah and urged Muslims to support charitable causes, noting that mosques serve not only as places of worship but also as centres for community development and societal guidance.
The Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, OFR, described the mosque project as massive and worthy of pride for the emirate, adding that the Zazzau Emirate was also working toward completing its palace Jumu’ah Mosque in the first quarter of next year.
He stressed the importance of proper maintenance of the facility to ensure its long-term impact.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, described the mosque as modern and standard, announcing the donation of a brand-new ambulance for the mosque clinic as well as a sum of N20 million, on behalf of himself, the Emir of Zazzau and his members, for the maintenance of the facility.
He also pledged support toward the establishment of the proposed Islamic Centre, assuring the university management of his continued engagement on the project.
The newly rebuilt mosque complex comprises a clinic, conference hall, cafeteria, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) secretariat and lodge, offices, and 22 shops. The facility is also powered by a solar energy system designed to provide electricity round the clock.
Present at the event were members of the university management, Islamic scholars, clerics, traditional title holders, heads of institutions and organisations, thousands of worshippers, representatives of the university’s Christian community, among others.
