About Us
Chronicles IBILE Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation (IZSF)
Inspired Leadership, Inspired Vision
When leadership is purposeful and aligned with the needs of the people, progress becomes inevitable. This is the story of the IBILE Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation (IZSF)—an initiative inspired by the visionary leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla (may Allah preserve him), the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos. Following his turbaning as the Grand Imam, Sheikh Abou-Nolla prioritized improving the welfare of the Muslim Ummah in Lagos. Drawing parallels with a mother instinctively responding to her child’s cry, he immediately identified the critical need to institutionalize Zakat and Sadaqah in a transparent, inclusive, and impactful manner.
When leadership is purposeful and aligned with the needs of the people, progress becomes inevitable. This is the story of the IBILE Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation (IZSF)—an initiative inspired by the visionary leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla (may Allah preserve him), the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos. Following his turbaning as the Grand Imam, Sheikh Abou-Nolla prioritized
improving the welfare of the Muslim Ummah in Lagos. Drawing parallels with a mother instinctively responding to her child’s cry, he immediately identified the critical need to institutionalize Zakat and Sadaqah in a transparent, inclusive, and impactful manner.
The Birth of a Noble Initiative
Before the establishment of IZSF, the Grand Imam consulted a wide range of Islamic scholars, finance experts, and community leaders. The consensus was clear: there was an urgent need for a central, transparent Zakat institution to serve the entire Muslim population across the five divisions of Lagos— Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe (IBILE).Drawing from Mary Parker Follett’s definition of management as “the art of getting things done through people,” Sheikh Abou-Nolla convened a diverse Steering Committee comprised of seasoned professionals with proven experience in Islamic community work. This marked the formal inception of IZSF.
Vision, Mission, and Purpose
From the onset, IZSF’s goals were unambiguous:
- To institutionalize Zakat administration under Islamic principles.
- To ensure transparent and inclusive disbursement of Zakat to deserving beneficiaries.
- To empower High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) to fulfil their Zakat obligations through a trusted, central platform.
Unlike other commendable Zakat organizations operating under various societies, IZSF aims to serve as a unified, central body under the guidance of the League of Imams and led by the Grand Chief Imam—thus ensuring equity, access, and credibility in Zakat administration.
Strategic Priorities and Focus Areas
The IZSF initiative is rooted in addressing fundamental community challenges:
a. Educational Empowerment:In response to the growing number of out-of-school children—especially orphans and those from financially challenged homes—IZSF is committed to returning every such Muslim child to school. Education is not only a prophetic legacy but a fundamental objective (maqasid) of the Shari’ah.
b. Poverty Eradication:By providing sustainable support to the needy through zakat, sadaqah, and economic empowerment programs, IZSF aims to uplift at least 25% of Lagos Muslims out of poverty.
c. Islamic Infrastructure Development:The Foundation prioritizes communal projects such as Muslim cemeteries, madrasahs, libraries, and befitting mosques, modeled after the legacies of visionary leaders like Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (RA).
