- Eulogies Late DG Dr Kabir Kabo
THE new Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the International Center for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE), Abuja, Dr Muhammad Jameel Labaran, has formally assumed duty, pledging to strengthen the institution through digital transformation, strategic leadership and adherence to international best practices.
News Point Nigeria reports that Muhammad Jameel Labaran, PhD, MCIPS, PMP, was appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Centre in February to succeed the late Dr Kabir Kabo Usman, who died on Saturday, December 20, 2025 (29th of Jumada al-Akhir, 1447 AH), at a hospital in Manchester, England, after an illness.
A press statement issued by Abdulkadir Ahmed Ibrahim, FNGE, Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the DG/CEO of ICICE, said the new Director-General hails from Dambatta in Kano State and was born in Maiduguri, Borno State, on December 22, 1987.
According to the statement, Dr. Labaran attended Elkanemi College of Islamic Theology Primary and Secondary Schools before proceeding to the University of Maiduguri, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
He also studied at Nile University of Nigeria, where he earned a Master’s degree in Industrial Chemistry, Robert Gordon University for a Master’s degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, and the University of Strathclyde, where he obtained a PhD in Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management.
A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS, UK), Dr. Labaran was described as a multidisciplinary academic and institutional leader with a distinguished record in Islamic education, strategic governance and institutional transformation.
He is also one of the pioneer staff members of ICICE, having begun his service at the institution as a Qur’an and Islamic Studies teacher before rising through several leadership positions.
Over the years, he served as Admin and Quality Assurance Manager as well as Head of Iqra’ College, where he reportedly led strategic programme development and strengthened institutional systems.
His major achievements at ICICE and the Al-Noor Mosque include providing strategic leadership for Iqra’ College, overseeing Tahfeez and adult Arabic programmes, and ensuring curricular coherence, instructional quality and alignment with Islamic values.
The statement further noted that Dr. Labaran designed and implemented new educational programmes that significantly improved enrolment, optimised staffing and generated substantial financial savings for the institution.
He was also said to have led quality assurance and compliance initiatives, including the development of internal policies, quality management systems and procurement guidelines aligned with global best practices.
According to the statement, Dr. Labaran played a key role in drafting institutional policies that supported governance and board-level decision-making processes within the Centre.
He was also credited with recruiting, mentoring and managing educators and administrative personnel while fostering professionalism, accountability and service delivery within the institution at different periods.
Among his other recognised strengths are transparent budgeting, effective reporting and consistent programme delivery, all of which reportedly strengthened community trust and stakeholder confidence in the institution.
Dr. Labaran is equally one of the Visiting Imams for Friday and Eid prayers at the Al-Noor Mosque and occasionally translates Khudbahs delivered by other Imams from Arabic to English.
The new ICICE Director-General also has professional experience in the United Arab Emirates and combines faith-grounded leadership with academic rigour and practical execution.
Before his appointment, he served as a part-time lecturer at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, with expertise in digital transformation, quality management, Industry 4.0 and sustainable supply chains.
Beyond academics and administration, Dr. Labaran is recognised for entrepreneurial and humanitarian leadership.
He is the Co-Founder of Kawudi Perfumes Limited and Founder of the Kandea Foundation, a humanitarian organisation focused on education, women empowerment and social welfare.
Addressing senior management staff of ICICE shortly after assuming office on Friday, May 8, at the Aminu Baba-Kusa Administrative Building of the Centre, the new Director-General sought the support and cooperation of all staff members to enable him effectively discharge the responsibilities of leading the organisation.
He disclosed plans to introduce digital technology into the day-to-day running of the Centre in line with international best practices aimed at promoting efficient and effective administrative systems for optimum results.
Dr. Labaran also paid glowing tribute to the immediate past Director-General, the late Dr Kabir Kabo Usman, whom he described as a role model in human resource management and institutional development.
According to him, the late DG was not only his leader but also his mentor and benefactor both at ICICE and during his time in the United Kingdom.
He pledged to sustain and build upon the legacies left behind by the late DG by working tirelessly, to the best of his abilities and with Allah’s guidance, to implement the Mission, Vision and Core Values of ICICE.
The late Dr Kabir Kabo Usman was widely respected as a scholar, administrator and public servant known for his contributions to religious education, public sector reforms and human capacity development in Nigeria and beyond.
In 2018, he was appointed Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of ICICE and was credited with repositioning the Centre through the successful implementation of several policies and programmes.
Under his leadership, the multi-billion naira Al-Noor Mosque expansion project, which he initiated, reportedly reached 75 per cent completion.
The project was said to have been regarded by the late DG as one of his final wishes and a lasting contribution to faith and community development.
ICICE serves as the custodian of the Al-Noor Mosque and supervises Al-Noor Academy, Iqra College, the Tahfeez Programme and several educational and philanthropic units located along IBB Way, Wuse II, Abuja.
The Centre, the mosque and its component institutions were founded by renowned philanthropist and business development expert, Alhaji Aminu Baba Kusa.