The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) have expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Saliu, OON, describing his passing as a monumental loss to Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and the wider Muslim community.
The revered Islamic scholar died on January 19th, 2026, after a brief illness at the age of 76. He was buried the same day in accordance with Islamic rites.
In a condolence message, the National President of IEDPU, Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik, commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR; the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and the family of the late cleric.
In the statement signed by the IEDPU National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Suleiman Shuaib Dagbo, Abdulmalik described the demise of the Chief Imam as “a great loss not only to Ilorin Emirate but to humanity at large.” He said the late Imam was a pride of the community who provided exemplary spiritual leadership for 43 years, adding glamour, dignity and grace to the revered office.
He also extended condolences to the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Shaykh Abdullahi AbulHameed, members of the Ilorin Emirate, the Kwara State Council of Ulama and the entire people of the emirate, praying that Almighty Allah forgives the shortcomings of the deceased and rewards his good deeds with Aljannat Firdaus.
Similarly, the Director General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, expressed profound shock and sadness over the death of the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin. In a condolence statement issued by his media aide, Mohammad Abdulkadri, Prof. Sulaiman described the late cleric as a devoted servant of Allah and humanity, whose life was defined by spirituality, scholarship and service.
He noted that the late Chief Imam, who also served as Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, was an influential preacher and an exceptional reciter of the Holy Qur’an, whose distinctive and inspiring voice would continue to resonate across generations.
Prof. Sulaiman commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR; the IEDPU; the Council of Ulama; the family of the deceased; and the entire Muslim Ummah, describing the death as a colossal loss to the entire Muslim community.
Recalling his personal relationship with the late scholar, the former Minister of National Planning said he benefited from the Imam’s spiritual guidance on several occasions, noting that his life and work elevated Ilorin’s national standing in Islamic scholarship and erudition.
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