Primate Ayodele Builds Mosque in Honour of Tinubu’s Mother, Calls Project ‘Divine Instruction’

Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder and spiritual head of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Oke-Afa, Lagos, has inaugurated a mosque he funded and built in honour of Abibatu Mogaji, the late mother of President Bola Tinubu.

The mosque was unveiled on Saturday during Ayodele’s annual thanksgiving programme at the church’s headquarters. The event attracted guests from religious, political, traditional and entertainment circles. Delegates represented Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the president’s first daughter, while the governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, was represented by his special adviser on Islamic matters.

Ayodele said the decision to construct the mosque followed what he described as a clear spiritual directive.

He stated that the building is a place of worship dedicated to God and that he has no role in its management. The mosque was formally handed over to a Muslim cleric during the ceremony.

According to him, the initiative was not designed to attract recognition or political benefit. He said he remains accountable to God for his actions and is not concerned about public reactions.

On the choice of name, Ayodele explained that he initially considered naming the mosque “Folawuyo Mosque” but later changed it after what he termed further spiritual guidance.

He also rejected suggestions that the gesture was politically motivated or linked to his previous public positions on the All Progressives Congress and President Tinubu, stressing that he does not seek appointments or favours.

Muslim clerics present at the event commended the development, describing it as a demonstration of religious cooperation. One Islamic cleric opened his remarks with Christian hymns and cited a biblical passage to underscore the message of unity, saying the act reflected shared values between faiths.

A representative of the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division described Ayodele as a man devoted to God’s work and encouraged Nigerians to prioritise peaceful coexistence over religious division.