Minaret Talent Academy Creates Thriving Path for Muslim Youth

In a dynamic economic landscape, where navigating career paths can be challenging, the Minaret Talent Academy (MTA) is making a significant impact on the lives of Muslim youth through its innovative Muslim Mentorship Connect (MMC) project. The initiative aims to positively change the lives of young Muslims by offering scholarships, mentorship, training, workshops, mock job interviews, and an annual Career Activation Foundry (CAF).

CAF9.0, the ninth annual event of MTA, was held at the Islamic Centre Hall, University of Lagos, Nigeria, on Sunday, July 21, 2024. The event saw attendance from notable Muslim professionals, including Dr. Akeem Oyewale, CEO of Marble Capital Limited; Sikiru Salami, Founder of Minaret Talent Academy; Fu’ad Lawal, Founder and Project Lead of Archivi.ng; Salami, CEO of Haut Institute; and Mutiat Olagoke, CEO of Egret Media Limited.

The founder of MTA, Sikiru Salami, highlighted the purpose of the academy in his opening remarks. “Our major objective is to address the capacity-building friction within the Ummah, which poses a problem to both the country and the world at large. When people are not engaged in the right path, they cannot maximize their potential. Those without opportunities tend to constitute a danger to those who have the chance to thrive,” he stated.

CAF9.0 featured two panel sessions where guest speakers provided insights on career navigation amidst Nigeria’s challenging economic conditions. The first panel session, titled “Cross-Skilling, Up-Skilling, and Reskilling,” and the second, “Charting New Career Pathways Away from Traditional Roles,” offered valuable advice to the youth.

The guest speakers shared their personal experiences of changing careers at various stages of their lives, emphasizing the importance of flexibility. The CEO of Haut Institute recounted his journey from aspiring civil engineer to tech professional, underscoring the need to diversify and adapt.

Fu’ad Lawal, Founder and Project Lead of Archivi.ng, encouraged the audience to strive for excellence and draw inspiration from the resilience of Prophet Muhammad in the pursuit of growth. “The way to get better is to want to be better than anyone else. You need to be very dissatisfied with your current situation,” he urged.

Yusuf Jimoh concluded the event by highlighting the longevity and potential of careers in data science, machine learning, and data analytics. “These are career paths that are not going into extinction anytime soon,” he reassured the attendees.

Through initiatives like the MMC project and events like CAF9.0, the Minaret Talent Academy is paving a thriving path for Muslim youth, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and excel in today’s economic landscape.