Celebrating Women Smashing The Mold

Meet some
Mold-Breakers

In line with International Women’s Day, we’ve had the privilege of speaking to remarkable women who are doing more than just breaking barriers—they’re shattering stereotypes.

Under the theme “Inspire Inclusion,” join us in paying tribute to these women who are rewriting the narrative of success in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Queen Of The Road

IWD Woman
By Tobi Lawson
Driving a Uber came with its challenges, but driving one looking like a Macy fashion poster girl is a different ... Read More

The Lady Cobbler

IWD Woman
By Oghenekewhe Alajabo
When you cannot find a shoe that matches your foot size, then you have to be ingenious. Oghenekewhe wanted to ... Read More

The Keke Mummy

IWD Woman
By Hannah Johnson
Riding keke had never been so easy for Hannah Johnson. Her dexterity with the tricycle earned her praise even from ... Read More

The Lady Mechanic

IWD Woman
By Ajayi Oluwatosin
Challenging stereotypes had been ingrained in her since childhood, and being a mechanic was the needed icing to defy gender ... Read More

Share Your Mold-Smashing Story

We believe that every story of breaking the mold is worth sharing. Whether it’s your own journey or that of a woman you admire, use the form below to inspire others with tales of inclusion and empowerment.

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Your mold-smashing stories

IWD POEM

IWD Woman
By Ifeanyichukwu Ogbonna
In a world where men held the reins, Women fought hard to break their chains. Despite the oppression and the pain, They rose ... Read More

MY MOTHER

IWD Woman
By FAUSAT IDOWU
Happy International Women's Day to all the incredible women across the globe! ... Read More

THE LADY PHOTOGRAPHER

IWD Woman
By TOBILOBA AJANI
As a female photographer in Nigeria, I have often encountered surprise and doubt regarding my profession. Many of the challenges I ... Read More

Join the movement

Let’s continue the conversation on social media! Use the hashtags #SmashTheMold #InspireInclusion to share your thoughts, experiences, and stories of women who are leading the charge in smashing stereotypes and fostering a more inclusive society.

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Abubakar Muhammad Musa

Summary

Abubakar Muhammad Musa is currently a Sharia Advisor and Consultant for SHAPE Knowledge Services a consulting firm based in Kuwait. He has been involved in product development, Sharia research and approval of Islamic banking products for different clients. His work covers retail banking, corporate banking and project finance deals.

Formerly, Abubakar worked as a Researcher in different units at International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Besides his primary assignments in ISRA, he taught Shariah Rules in Financial Transactions to Chartered Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) Masters online Students of International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF), Malaysia. He also taught MBA and BBA Students different Islamic Banking and Finance Subjects at University College of Bahrain.

Abubakar holds two Diplomas with distinction, one in Islamic Law and the other in Arabic Language from Al-Imam University Riyadh. He also holds LLB (Hons) degree in Shariah from the same University. He successfully completed his (CIFP) Professional Masters Degree Programme at (INCEIF), Malaysia. He had his internship program on Islamic Banking & Finance at Fajr Capital in Kuala Lumpur. During the programme, Abubakar conducted research relating to product structuring and market development.

Abdurraheem Ahmad Sayi

Summary

Abdurraheem Ahmad Sayi is a legal practitioner and Consultant of over 16 years of active legal practice. He is currently the principal partner, A.A. Sayi & Co. (Qist Chambers) and Qadi, Independent Shari’ah Panel of Lagos State – a platform, through which he has delivered several judgments of in-depth analysis, widely applauded by leading legal and intellectual icons, including learned Judges, professors of law and Islamic Studies.

He is the Executive Director/C.E.O., ClearPath Islamic Centre (Incorporated), Lekki-Lagos and Chief Imam, SilverPoint Central Mosque, Badore, Ajah-Lagos. Fondly called Imam Sayi, Abdurraheem is the designate Chairman, Shari’ah Advisory Committee, Mutual Benefit Takaaful.

Imam Sayi has also authored a few works, some of which include: The Financial Obligations: a compendium of essays on monetary or material obligations under Islamic Law and Waqf (Charity Endowment): The Governing Principles.

He holds a Certificate on Improving Personal Effectiveness from the Lagos Business School (Pan African University) and he is a recipient of numerous awards and certificates of merits.

Abdulkader Thomas

Education:

Master of Arts Law and Diplomacy, The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy.

Bachelor of Arts Arabic & Islamic Studies, The University of Chicago.

Shariah Board Experience:

Bank Muscat Meethaq (2013 – 2017)

Sterling Bank Nigeria (Since 2013)

University Bank, USA (Since 2006)

Summary

Abdulkader Thomas has over 35 years of diversified financial services experience in major markets. With a Master of Arts Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and a BA in Arabic & Islamic Studies from The University of Chicago. His areas of activity have included trade finance, real estate finance, securities and alternative finance.

As the general manager of a foreign bank branch in New York, he secured the first US regulatory approvals of Islamic mortgage and instalment credit/sale as banking instruments. Later, he secured US regulatory approval for profit sharing deposits. Abdulkader has been involved in the successful implementation of these products in the US market. With more than 17years Shariah Board Experience in Bank Muscat Meethaq, Sterling Bank Nigeria and University Bank USA, Abdulkader has worked on IFTA projects in Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and an authority on Islamic deal structures and securities.

He also serves as a director of Alkhabeer Capital in Jeddah and Chairman of Alkhabeer (DIFC). He is a member of the international advisory board of the Securities Commission of Malaysia, a published author, and an active speaker on Islamic finance.