In the just-concluded convocation ceremony, one of our brothers and leaders, Brother Habeeb Kasali, was pronounced the Best Graduating Student! Join me in an insightful interview with Brother Habeeb Kasali—the Best Graduating Student of Linguistics and African Language—as he shares his remarkable journey of placing three crowns on his head so perfectly: excelling academically, leading effectively, and running a business all through his undergraduate years.

By: Al-Faaedah Press Correspondent – Fatimoh Akinpelu

Assalãmu’Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarokatuhu, sir. Can you make a brief introduction of yourself, sir?
Wa Alaykumussalam Wa RahmatuLlah Wa Baroka Tuhu. Na’am. All praises belong to ALlah, the entirely merciful, the especially merciful. May ALlah send His peace and recommendation upon the soul of our noble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).
I am Habeeb Kasali Ademola, a Fresh Graduate of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan, where I graduated with a First-Class Honours and as the Best Graduating Student, by ALlah’s mercy. I am the creative founder of Roman Series, an educational venture that has helped over 5000 students gained admission to competitive courses at the University, AlhamduliLlah.

What inspired you to study Linguistics, and how has it shaped your way of thinking or communicating?
Well, to be very honest, I remembered joining MSSN Akinyele Area Council Extramural lesson in 2019 with the intention of studying Edu/History at FUOYE, because at that time, I was so desperate to gain admission to the University and study any course. However after meeting a number of amazing colleagues, I decided to try University of Ibadan. I was inspired to study Linguistics the day Our Directors of Studies back then at Extramural invited a great personality to come and speak with us about career related topic. It happened that this man was a Linguistics graduate from the University of Ibadan, and then I just fell in love with the course out of the blues. Studying Linguistics has really improved the way I communicate and think. A number of our courses are abstract and complex, so one can’t really survive without learning how to think creatively.

Were there any particular areas of linguistics like sociolinguistics, phonetics, or pragmatics that deeply fascinated you?
Yes! They include: Phonetics, Phonology and Pragmatics.

How did you first get involved with MSSN, and what motivates your continuous participation?
I’ve been an active member of MSSN since my secondary school days. I finished my secondary school from Immanuel College High School, Orita U.I Ibadan. MSSN Akinyele Area Council did send coordinators to our school every week, and I’ve been involved ever since then. I’m naturally drawn to causes/projects that improve the life of others positively, so it’s easy to participate anytime I find such opportunity among Muslim Ummah.

What specific role or committee do you serve in, and what are your main responsibilities?
After gaining admission into the University of Ibadan, I served in the following positions at MSSN Akinyele Area Council:

1. Assitant Director of Studies II: I was a part of a team that design academic programs for the academic development of Muslim students under MSSN Akinyele Area Council
2. General Secretary: I handled the General Secretarial duties of the society.
3. Experinced Officer I: I used my very little experience to contribute to the development of the society. By society, I mean, MSSN Akinyele Area Council.

What’s the most rewarding part of being an active member of the MSSN?
For me, the most rewarding part is looking back and reminiscing how many lives we’ve been able to positively impact by ALlah’s permission. To me, this is always worth more than anything. We ask ALlah to always be our guide.

MSSN responsibilities often require patience and sacrifice. How do you stay motivated and consistent?
That’s very correct. It’s very natural to want to get tired and all. Personally, I remind myself of one of my favourite verse in Surah An-Nisa anytime I get tired and felt like giving up along this path. That’s Q 4: 95-96.
“Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] – other than the disabled – and the mujāhideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allāh with their wealth and their lives. Allāh has preferred the mujāhideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to all [i.e., both] Allāh has promised the best [reward]. But Allāh has preferred the mujāhideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward –

Degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy. And Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.”

You juggled academics, business, and leadership responsibilities under the MSSN. How were you able to combine these effectively?
AlhamduliLlah! If I say that there’s one special tactics that worked for me, I’m being dishonest with myself. I was only able to achieve all of those by ALlah’s mercy. However, combining all of those, I remind myself of the Hadith of the Prophet (S.A.W) that narrated that ALlah loves that when a servant of His does anything, that servant strives to attain perfection. I only try my best and leave the outcome to ALlah. And, I try my best to make adequate effort; for example, missing classes for 7 good weeks working to complete the remaining subjects for Roman Series in 300L. And, leaving the halls of residence to stay at the central mosque for complete 2 weeks when I knew I was already in academic danger, and studying from Fajr to Isha, every single day for 2 weeks.

Have you always been the one topping your class from the first year and have you ever thought of graduating as the Best Graduating Student?
No, I wasn’t. I had the second best result in 100 and 200 level. I moved to the first in 300L and eventually graduated as the BGS, ALhamdulilah. And, it was not a do or die affairs for me.

What personal principles or habits help you stay disciplined across your different commitments?
Allah always make it easy for me to push through things, no matter how difficult it may seem. The problme is finding the courage to start. So I always remind myself to start, regardless of the condition surrounding it.

How do you avoid burnout when responsibilities from business, religion, and community overlap? If there is any, how did you manage it?
From what I’ve learnt, there’ll always be overlap of responsibilities, as much as we keep striving for personal and professional development. I thinks what’s most important is to constantly acknowledge that we’re weak and that there’s nothing we can achieve using just our own intellect. And then, asking ALlah for the wisdom and strength to stay committed.

In what ways have these three aspects—academics, business, and MSSN—influenced your personal development?
Academics, business and involvement in MSSN activities have all contributed immensely to my personal and professional development, AlhamduliLlah. ALlah has been using these three to open doors to amazing opportunities for me, meeting some of the most important people in my life now, and continued improvement in my personal and spiritual life, AlhamduliLlah.

Looking back, what do you think you could have done better?
It’s funny, but that’s definitely going back in time to amend the times I stylishly avoid sociatal responsibilities, thinking it would negatively affect my results in school, especially, when I was in 100L! The truth is that, it doesn’t, by ALlah. It even makes it better, because it teaches you agile management.

A word of advice to your younger self.
This is November 2025! I look back into my life in restrospect and deeply regret that I had not completed the memorization of the Glorious Qur’an in my formative years! I ask ALlah to grant me ease to complete it before leaving the surface of this earth and grant me and my family admitance into His mercies, Aameen. Kindly remember me in your Du’a. May Allah be pleased with you.

May Almighty Allah bless this for him!