The Anwar- ul Islam Movement of Nigeria formerly known as the Ahmadiyya Movement - In - Islam of Nigeria was founded in the year 1916.
The Anwar - ul Islam Movement of Nigeria can aptly be described as the pioneer Muslim Organisation - in the Southern parts of the Country, if not indeed the whole of the Federation. Pioneer, or the precursor, in the sense that before the advent of the Movement, countrywide Islamic Societies or mission as they cascade the firmament of religious organizations in Nigeria, of today, were unknown.
In that sense, Anwar - ul Islam, which in its long and chequered history had undergone many transformations and metamorphosis, is the Path finder, the trail blaizer.

Founded in 1916, by members of the Muslim Literary Society and Juvenile Muslim Society whose principal members included - Messrs L.B. Augusto, A.T. Adele, B.A. Fanimokun, Alfa Mohammed Bello Lawal and Ashafa Tijani of Martins Street, Lagos.

The aims and objects of the Movement can be summarized as to "reform the Muslim world morally, intellectually, socially, religiously and spiritually and to realize in all walks of life the ideals of Islam as taught in the Holy Quran and exemplified in the life, character and spirit of the Holy Prophet Mohammed, (PBOH). The objects of the Movement are to study, teach and spread Islam according to the holy Quran throughout the World".
In the early part of this century, a conflictual situation between Islamic education and Euro - Christian education arose. The fear was and is still well grounded that the surest route to forceful conversion to Christianity is via the so -called "Western Education". The young men of the Muslim elites of yester-years founded the Anwar-ul Islam - then known as Ahmadiyya, saw this danger ands sought to remedy it and ameliorate the situation. It was in this context that the movement's pioneering role in Islamic education and the award of scholarship to young Nigerian Muslims can be understood and appreciated.
Thus the first Muslim Secondary School in Nigeria was set up by the movement in Lagos in 1948 at 4-6 Olushi Street, Lagos, properties of Aihaji Jibril Martin and Alhaji N.B Kenku.

Movement has come to be what it is today, Some might call it schism, fissiparous tendencies or even worst still any atomistic society with the seed of its own destruction. True, the Movement has sailed through shark invested seas, it has overcome many vicissitudes. Formerly, known at various times as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Society of Nigeria in 1916, changed to Ahrnadiyya Movement in Islam in Nigeria Branch, which had its root in Quadian India. The break with Quadian came as a result of basic difference in dogma and doctrine which was also sequel to litigation in 1940. In all its episodic turmoil and turbulence, the Movement reaches its watershed in 1974 when it decided to remove the name of Ahmadiyya from its nomenclature and became the Anwar-ul Islam. It seemed that in spite of these litigations and acrimonious squabbling of many years, the Movement is waxing stronger in faith and conviction. One particular spectacular achievement of Anwar-ul Islam - meaning the light of the religion of Islam- is that all other reputable Islamic bodies - Jamaat'ul Islamiyya, Ansar-ud-deen Society, etc can trace their origin, inspiration and early membership to the Movement.
The Movement, with its history of weathering storms - which has strengthened it as the cross current of storms and thunder have toughened the Iroko tree and made it the diamond of the forest. With its present leadership of Aihaji RO. Oyenubi and his able executive, backed by the edifying body of ex-Presidents and the faithful Ummah, the journey towards the last quarter of the century of its existence, is well set and on course.
Anwar-ul-Islam -is the primus inter pares and Prima Donna - in the body of Muslim organisations in this country -it's history that of the movement's will form a copious in the annals of Islam in our fatherland.