Maiduguri – Musa Hameed Musa of Borno State has emerged as the Overall Best Male (Gwarzon Shekara) at the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition, while Hafsat Muhammad Sada of Kano State was adjudged the Overall Best Female (Gwarzuwar Shekara).
The 2025 edition marked the 40th anniversary of the competition and was held in Maiduguri, Borno State. It featured 296 contestants from 30–34 states across Nigeria, competing in six categories over ten days. The annual event aims to promote Islamic knowledge, moral values, cultural identity, unity, and spiritual excellence among Muslims nationwide.
Key Highlights
Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, described hosting the 40th edition as a symbol of peace, education, and spiritual growth, urging all participants to consider themselves winners. He emphasized that true success lies in knowledge and understanding of the Qur’an.
Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda, pledged ongoing support for the competition to strengthen Islamic education.
Professor Attahiru Jega, Pro‑Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, praised Borno State for setting a benchmark in participation, commitment, and institutional support. He highlighted the important role of women in Qur’anic education, referencing Nana Asma’u, daughter of Shehu Usman Danfodiyo, as a historical example.
Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El‑Kanemi, encouraged Islamic scholars to continue nurturing the community through knowledge, emphasizing that success is found in lifelong learning.
Winners and Awards
Overall Best Male (Gwarzon Shekara): Musa Hameed Musa – Borno
Overall Best Female (Gwarzuwar Shekara): Hafsat Muhammad Sada – Kano
Decorations and Prizes:
Musa Hameed Musa was decorated by the Shehu of Borno.
Hafsat Muhammad Sada was decorated by Hajiya Nana Shettima, Wife of the Vice President, alongside First Lady of Borno, Associate Professor Falmata Zullum.
Both winners received electric cars from the Vice President, ₦5 million each from the Vice President’s wife, and other awards including Umrah slots.
Consolation prizes totaling ₦10 million were given to other winners.
The event concluded with a celebration of Qur’anic learning and spiritual development nationwide.
Competition Results – BORNO 2025
6th Category – Male (2 Hizbs)
* Cross River
* Delta
* Enugu
* Imo
* Abia
* Ebonyi
6th Category – Female (2 Hizbs)
* Abia
* Imo
* Enugu
* Delta
* Benue
* Bayelsa
5th Category – Male (10 Hizbs + Tangim)
* Katsina
* Kwara
* Enugu
* Ogun
* Oyo
* Lagos
5th Category – Female (10 Hizbs + Tangim)
* Gombe
* Kebbi
* FCT Abuja
* Niger
* Katsina
* Bauchi
4th Category – Male (30 Hizbs)
* Borno
* Kano
* Kaduna
* Cross River
* Zamfara
* Sokoto
4th Category – Female (30 Hizbs)
* Borno
* Zamfara
* Kano
* Kwara
* Katsina
* Kaduna
3rd Category – Male (60 Hizbs)
* Borno
* Kano
* Yobe
* Gombe
* Kaduna
* Kebbi
3rd Category – Female (60 Hizbs)
* Jigawa
* Borno
* Kano
* Katsina
* Bauchi
* Anambra
2nd Category – Male (Tafsir)
* Zamfara
* Sokoto
* Yobe
* Gombe
* Borno
* Kano
2nd Category – Female (Tafsir)
* Gombe
* Jigawa
* Sokoto
* Kano
* Kaduna
* Nasarawa
1st Category – Male (Qira’at)
* Borno
* Taraba
* FCT Abuja
* Gombe
* Osun
* Kano
1st Category – Female (Qira’at)
* Kano
* FCT Abuja
* Niger
* Kebbi
* Kaduna
* Zamfara
