Assessment of Zakat Administration Practices Among Muslim Communities in Ibadan, Oyo State

This study assesses the practices of Zakat administration among Muslim communities in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in South West Nigeria. Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, remains a vital instrument of wealth redistribution and poverty alleviation, yet its systematic administration in Nigerian urban settings is often inconsistent. The study employs a descriptive survey approach using structured questionnaires administered to 250 Muslim household heads across five major mosques in Ibadan. Interviews were also conducted with five Zakat administrators to gain institutional perspectives. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and thematic coding of qualitative responses. Results reveal that a majority of respondents fulfil their Zakat obligations informally and personally, bypassing established institutional channels. Awareness of centralised Zakat boards was found to be generally low, and trust deficits in formal religious financial institutions were identified as a significant barrier. The study recommends improved public enlightenment on institutional Zakat bodies, the establishment of transparent accountability frameworks, and greater mosque-based education on standardised Zakat computation. This research provides empirical insights into the socio-religious dynamics of Zakat compliance in an urban South West Nigerian context, offering recommendations relevant to policymakers, Islamic scholars, and community organisations. Keywords: Zakat, administration, Muslim communities, Ibadan, wealth redistribution.