Maiduguri — Musa Hameed Musa from Borno State has emerged the overall winner of the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition, while Kano State clinched the overall best in the female category.
The 2025 edition of the National Qur’anic Recitation Competition, and the 40th anniversary of the competition, was held in Maiduguri, Borno State, and featured 296 contestants from 34 states of Nigeria. The event brought together outstanding Qur’anic reciters from across the country, who competed in six categories over ten days.
The annual competition provides a platform for promoting Islamic knowledge, moral values, cultural identity, unity, and spiritual excellence among Muslims nationwide.
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Declaring the event closed, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, described hosting the 40th anniversary edition as an affirmation of the state’s enduring commitment to peace, education, and spiritual engagement. He urged all participants to regard themselves as winners, stressing that true victory goes beyond prizes and lies in deep knowledge and understanding of the Holy Qur’an. He praised the dedication of contestants, calling it a source of pride for their families, states, and the Muslim Ummah.
The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda, expressed support for sustaining the annual competition and pledged continued backing for the organizers in their efforts to promote Islamic education.
Professor Attahiru Jega, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said Borno State had set a benchmark for future editions, citing the high level of participation, commitment, and institutional support. He described the competition as a reflection of faith in action, unity in diversity, and a valuable exchange of knowledge that aligns with the university’s character-building vision rooted in Islamic foundations.
Professor Jega also highlighted the significant role of women in transmitting Qur’anic knowledge—from mothers teaching at home to girls excelling in schools—and noted the growing impact of female participation in the competition. He referenced Nana Asma’u, daughter of Shehu Usman Danfodiyo, as a historical example of women’s contribution to Islamic education.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, urged Islamic scholars to continue building the community through knowledge, reiterating that true success lies in learning and the continuous pursuit of knowledge.
Out of the six keenly contested categories, Musa Hameed Musa of Borno State emerged as the Overall Best (Gwarzon Shekara) in the male category, while Hafsat Muhammad Sada of Kano State was adjudged the Overall Best (Gwarzuwar Shekara) in the female category.
Hafsat Muhammad Sada was decorated as Gwarzuwar Shekara for the 2025 Qur’anic Recitation Competition by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, alongside the First Lady of Borno, Associate Professor Falmata Zullum. Musa Hameed Musa was decorated by the Shehu of Borno.
The well-attended event saw winners depart with cars, cash prizes, Umrah slots, and other awards. The Vice President presented electric cars to both overall winners, while his wife gifted each of them five million Naira and awarded ten million Naira in consolation prizes to other winners.
The competition concluded on a note of celebration and renewed commitment to fostering Qur’anic learning and spiritual development across the nation.