ALIMOSHO – Muslim professionals have been urged to build strategic relationships, expand their influence and create greater opportunities for career advancement and leadership.
The call was made by Engr. Oseni Abdussemiu Olanrewaju, a Deputy Director in the Lagos State Government, while delivering a lecture titled “Networking for Influence: Building Strategic Alliances for Success” at the 2026 Alimosho Professional Day.
The event, held on Saturday, October 24, was organised under the theme, “The Future Starts Now: Preparing Muslim Professionals for Leadership in 2027 and Beyond.”
Engr. Olanrewaju emphasised that networking goes beyond exchanging contacts, describing it as the deliberate cultivation of trusted relationships that connect people to ideas, resources and decision-makers.
“Networking is not collecting contacts. It is building trusted relationships that carry good ideas, capable people, and resources to the places where decisions are made,” he said.
He encouraged professionals to extend their relationships beyond familiar circles by engaging with professional bodies, business networks, community associations, civil society organisations and public institutions.
Strategic networking, according to him, thrives on trust, competence, integrity and a willingness to contribute value before seeking personal benefits.
The guest speaker also drew attention to the Islamic foundation of meaningful relationships, citing Qur’an 49:13, which explains that humanity was created into nations and tribes to know one another.
He noted that cooperation must be guided by righteousness and a shared commitment to the common good.
Engr. Olanrewaju further advised participants to maintain regular contact with people in their networks, mentor younger professionals, contribute to community development and establish partnerships that could support leadership aspirations in 2027 and beyond.
He stressed that influence is not determined merely by the number of contacts a person has, but by the quality of relationships, the trust built over time and the ability to mobilise people towards a common purpose.
The speaker urged participants to translate the lessons into practical action by identifying key relationships, reaching out to new contacts, serving others and sustaining mutually beneficial partnerships.
