Hamzat, Fashola, Okunnu, Makanjuola present as family rededicates 100-year-old Alli-Balogun Wasinmi Mosque
By KEMI KASUMU
In his remarks, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat said: “This is legacy. A house of worship for Muslims to pray in. And as our Imams have always told us, there are few things that you can leave behind which will be your reward after death. This is one of them, may Almighty Allah grant Aljana Firdaus to him and all those that are supporting us today.”
Sheik Makanjuola Alli-Balogun a.k.a Alli-Oloko, was a man of means during his lifetime. He was blessed with money, power and influence. And almost a century after his demise, he remains in the spotlight. Loved, respected and celebrated, the love feels eternal and today, generations born 93 years after his demise can hear his name and feel his impact. On Sunday, March 8th, 2026, Alli-Oloko resurrected in Lagos when his descendants under the Alli-Balogun Memorial Foundation mobilised resources and successfully refurbished their progenitor’s 100-year-old Alli Balogun Wasinmi Mosque on Lagos Island. The re-opening of this masterpiece, boasting a modern architectural design is a demonstration of urban regeneration, historical preservation, commitment to the Islamic faith and a celebration of legacy.
The modern architecture of the mosque blends functional spaces for prayers with symbolic, artistic and historical elements featuring domes, pillars, minarets, and courtyards. Talk about a mosque incorporate sustainable materials, glass, steel, and wood as modern designs while maintaining traditional, geometric and calligraphic ornamentation with sustainable values. Standing as an imposing edifice on Nnamid Azikiwe (formerly Victoria Street) is the newly refurbished Alli Balogun (Alli-Oloko) Wasinmi Mosque built in 1925 by a wealthy, religious leader, philanthropist and family man, Sheik Aliu Makanjuola Alli-Balogun.
Known for immense wealth, Islamic faith, and philanthropy, the Alli-Balogun family remains influential in Lagos and beyond, especially as a prominent, historical Lagos dynasty originating from the late 19th-century merchant and philanthropist, Sheikh Alli Makanjuola Balogun (Alli-Oloko) who lived between 1830 and 1933.
Born in 1830 to a Nupe Prince of Tapa ancestry and an Awori lady of Isale Eko extraction, Sheik Aliu Alli-Balogun was reputed to be one of the wealthiest in his era. A religious and affluent man, Alli-Balogun was renowned for his business acumen and opulent lifestyle and his humanitarian gestures touched many in his domain and beyond.
Based on his level of impact, it is not so surprising that nearly a century after his exitfrom the side of existence, he remains iconic, revered and honoured personality, not just by his descendants but the entire Lagos Muslim community.
It was the reason Lagos Island stood still for Makanjuola Alli Oloko on Sunday, March 8th, 2026 when his descendants, led by the chairperson of the Alli-Balogun Memorial Foundation, converged for the reopening of the refurbished 100-year-old mosque built by the iconic figure. Although the event featured prominent Nigerians from different walks of life, it was not the first time the family would roll out the drums to celebrate their progenitor. In July 2023, in commemoration of his 90 years remembrance, the descendants launched the ‘Alli-Balogun Memorial Foundation under the umbrella of the Alli-Balogun Dynasty. According to them, the move became imperative so as to continue to honour the legacy of a man whose name has continued to resonate in Lagos and beyond, having touched so many lives in his lifetime.
Drawing from his life of service and philanthropy; and by extension, reflecting his passion on societal issues, the foundation focuses on interventions in three core areas: education, community service and inter-religious harmony.
It was a moment of reminiscences down the historical lane for many Lagosians, some of them born around 70 years ago and before in Lagos Island as they gathered to witness the re-opening of the Alli-Balogun Wasinmi Mosque built around 101 years ago. Founded a century ago by their visionary Baba Alalubarika, as Sheik Makanjuola Alli-Balogun is also known, the excitement was palpable on the faces of many present, including distinguished Nigerian lawyer and elder statesman, Alhaji Lateef Femi Okunnu, SAN; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; Senator Gbenga Ashafa and the who-is-who in Lagos Island, the Lagos Muslim community and others.
For them, it was not just a celebration of a legacy by a man who was infinitely passionate about his religion but who also fully devoted his resources to promoting community good. Also among dignitaries at the ceremony were Prince Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem, Representative of the Oba of Lagos/Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose; Great Grand-daughter of Alli-Balogun, Alhaja Lateefat Yoyinsola Makanjuola; her husband, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola; and Chief Imam of Lagos State, Fadilatul-Shaikh, Engr. Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abu-Nolla.
Others are Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, Alhaji MonsurOmokehinde Alli Balogun, Chairman, Alli-Balogun Descendants Union; and Otunba Nurudeen Ojora, among others.
In his remarks, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat said: “This is legacy. A house of worship for Muslims to pray in. And as our Imams have always told us, there are few things that you can leave behind which will be your reward after death. This is one of them, may Almighty Allah grant Aljana Firdaus to him and all those that are supporting us today.
“Baba has done his own and I am sure he has gotten the blessings of Almighty Allah. So, it’s for those of us that are here now to continue to pray in a good environment. So, we thank Almighty Allah that we are able to gather here today and it reminds us as Muslims that we are at the forefront of great things in this state and we should not forget. We should never forget. And therefore, when you mention Lagos, we should not be behind. We must be at the forefront to say these are the things we have done to foster good relationships. When Mama was talking, she said some of the people that contributed are Christians. In our community, we don’t divide ourselves based on religion and may Almighty Allah continue to allow peace to reign in our state.”
Speaking at the event, the great grand-daughter of the deceased and wife of Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, Chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mrs. Lateefat Yoyinsola Makanjuola, said she was overwhelmed with joy. “It is pleasing to inherit such an edifice. A house of worship. This is a monument. I mean you cannot quantify a building right in the heart of Lagos Island to be 100 years plus and nothing happened to it. When you look around the pillars, the structures that it holds, including the first floor, the minaret, it is fantastically unbelievable. They are till intact. We just changed few things. Initially, we thought it would take us a year or two because of the magnitude of repairs but we were able to do it under one year. This is a historic house of worship that has stood as a beacon of faith and unity for over 100 years. For us as a family, we are very proud to have something that has stood the test of time. 100 years is not a short period and we believe that the edifice will stand for the next 100 years.
On what inspired the refurbishment, Mrs. Makanjuola, who incidentally married into another prominent Lagos family with Makanjuola, one of her father’s names, as the surname, said it is about cherishing one’s heritage. “To carry on the legacy, this is why we are here today and we want to continue. This is 100 years plus now and I put it in my prayer that almighty Allah will let it stand for another 100 years and for upcoming generations.
Mrs. Makanjuola expressed her gratitude to well-meaning Nigerians who contributed, noting: “To every hand that contributed to the restoration of this mosque through great financial support, skilled labor, wise counsel, or heartfelt joy, we are grateful. We only shut this mosque for just three months.”
In his message, former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, said: “It is not just a mosque, it’s not just a building. It’s a very, very important piece of the history of Lagos in the pre-colonial era and it should last beyond that just as you have seen buildings last hundreds of years in other parts of the world. Instructive also as the Management Committee and Board of Trustees told us, this was an initiative that was supported just by Muslims but also by Christians. And if you read the brochure and leaflet you will see the history of Lagos in the colonial era, the pre-independence before the Treaty of Session and the colonial administration’s ascension to the government of the Colony of Lagos and so on and so forth. So there are lots of positives, you can see the beauty of the architecture of that time.
“So, instead of bringing it down, they actually refurbished it and preserved and restored it. These bring those beauties that show different architectural eras. This is urban renewal, urban regeneration, historical preservation and so many more and of course commitment to faith and Islamic Brotherhood.”
On his own, distinguished Nigerian lawyer and statesman, Alhaji Lateef Femi Okunnu, SAN, noted that there are lessons to be learnt regarding the event. “I feel great and very happy for the descendants and his great grandchildren who have done this. May Allah reward them abundantly. The lessons learnt here is that what is in your pockets is not yours. Give generously and always assist the poor.”
Also, speaking, Senator Gbenga Ashafa congratulated Mrs Makanjuola for the honour done to one of her forebears. “I congratulate my sister, Mrs. Yoyinsola Makanjuola, for calling all of us to witness this. To the children and grandchildren of Aunty Yoyinsola, you have something coming, and that is remembering Islam when they have long gone by establishing your own stamp too, maybe through this same mosque or through another mosque.”
According to the chairman of Crescent Bearers, Mr. Dele Martins, the event represents a true testament to excellence. “It is indeed a true testament to excellence. You cannot be in here and not have a feel of being in the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, and I think those who designed it were trying in their own little way to replicate that Masjid.”
Otunba Nurudeen Ojora, Chairman Alli-Balogun Descendants Union, echoed the same sentiments by stating: “We’re happy. We thank God that we are part of that history now. A hundred years and still counting, this mosque is here. Under the support of our Chairperson, our sister, and the Iyadini, Alhaja Lateefat Yoyinsola Makanjuola.”
Praising the commitment of those who have donated generously, one of the great great-grandsons of Sheik Alli-Balogun and Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State, Jamiu Alli- Balogun, said the move is about taking charge of God’s property which was built by his great-grandfather.
“I feel great. I am very happy for the descendants of Alli-Balogun. It is his great grandchildren who have done this, may Allah reward them abundantly. We came together to come and assess the situation of the mosque and then God gave us that strength, the resources to rehabilitate the mosque. This is the result. It is a common effort of the family and friends of the family who came together and rallied round to give the mosque a new look. That is what you are witnessing here today. A lot of money has gone into renovating this and in the course of the programme, a lot was donated for the maintenance of this mosque.”
Speaking about the idea of sustaining the legacy of his progenitor, the commissioner said: “It is a normal process. We must have that vote for maintenance, for a turn-around. That is the essence of those donations. And we have capable hands who are in charge of those resources. We have ex-bankers in the family who know how to manage resources, along with seasoned administrators. They are all part and parcel of those that will take charge of managing the resources and continue to maintain the mosque.”
Another great grand-daughter, Mrs. Lola Ogunbambi, who acts as Secretary of the foundation, added: “We are immensely blessed because the pool of funds that we got was a blessing and then the turnout of dignitaries for the event was overwhelming. You can imagine that Alhaji Okunnu came, at his age. He promised to come and he made it happen. If I look back at my great-great-grandfather, Sheikh Alli-Balogun, one of the ideals that he lived by were religion and community and we got the support of community today. And then, we see that a lot of people still value religion. Apart from the Islamic clerics, scholars and faithful that donated, we had some Christians that donated money to support the project. I am happy to be part of history as a descendant of Sheik Alli-Balogun.
Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, a member of the foundation, thanked almighty Allah for the success of the project, noting: “We thank Almighty Allah for this. This mosque is over 100 years old. Papa was a very good businessman, very good customer of First Bank. He was a legend and it’s a big lesson and we should learn to keep our heritage intact. We should learn to serve Allah and I will be honest with you, all these things we are striving for in life, we must also create something for the hereafter.”
Corroborating the views, the Chief Imam of the Mosque, Alhaji Monsur Omokehinde Alli-Balogun said he was elated as the first descendant to occupy the high office. “I am the first descendant of the deceased to be appointed Imam of this mosque, which to me is a call to service. It is now 101 years this year but seven years ago, it was in a bad shape. Through my people and others of like mind, we were able to put it back to this envious position and restore the structure. I am happy and I promise to keep the legacy alive.”
Also speaking, one of the great-grandchildren of the Sheik Alli-Balogun, Mr. Rotimi Makanjuola, said: “It is so wonderful to be here, looking at the legacy that has been preserved, that mum has worked very hard to carry on from her grandfather. It is very impressive, looking at the details. In many areas of Lagos, you find that, unfortunately, historical buildings are simply torn down when they’re falling apart and it’s so important to imbibe this culture of maintaining our heritage and keeping it for generations to come.”
