Manchester, UK — Renowned scholar and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will headline the Annual Conference of the Nigeria Muslim Forum UK (NMFUK), set to take place in Manchester on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
The high-profile event, themed “Ethical Digital Economy: The Future of Community-Centred Islamic Digital Banking,” is expected to bring together prominent Islamic scholars, financial experts, policymakers, and technology innovators to examine how ethical and faith-based values can shape the future of the digital economy.
Professor Pantami will deliver the keynote address, focusing on the role of digital innovation in advancing Islamic finance and promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria and across the Muslim world.
Other distinguished speakers include Dr Abdullahi Bala Lau, National Chairman of JIBWIS (Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah), and Mr Raza Ullah, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Pfida, a UK-based ethical finance platform.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Bilyaminu Romo, the National Ameer of NMFUK, said the annual conference, which coincides with the Forum’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), is designed to foster intellectual engagement, cultural exchange, and community empowerment.
“The theme reflects our commitment to building a just and ethical economic system that benefits individuals and communities alike,” Dr Romo stated. “We aim to explore how Islamic principles can guide innovation in digital finance while ensuring inclusion, accountability, and shared prosperity.”
According to the Forum, the conference will also feature interactive sessions addressing emerging trends in Islamic banking, digital ethics, and community-driven investment models designed to enhance economic resilience among Muslims globally.
Nigeria’s Islamic finance ecosystem—currently valued at over $4 billion—has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing in Africa, offering significant potential for national development, financial inclusion, and ethical investment.
Observers note that Professor Pantami’s expected insights will further highlight Nigeria’s strides in integrating digital transformation with faith-based financial ethics, particularly as technology reshapes how communities save, invest, and transact.
Beyond finance, the conference will also explore broader themes of community cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and humanitarian collaboration among Nigerian Muslims in the diaspora.
The Nigeria Muslim Forum UK (NMFUK), a registered charity, serves as the umbrella organization for Nigerian Muslims living in the United Kingdom. Over the years, it has supported several initiatives across health, education, and humanitarian sectors—both in Nigeria and within the UK Muslim community.