20 Facts About Late Ilorin Chief Imam

The Ilorin Emirate and the wider Muslim community in Nigeria were plunged into mourning following the passing of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, a respected Islamic scholar and spiritual leader.

Below are 20 numbered facts highlighting his life, service and legacy:

1. Full Name: His full name was Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, also rendered as Soliu in some historical accounts.
2. Title: He served as the Chief Imam of the Ilorin Emirate, a highly influential Islamic office in Kwara State.
3. Age at Death: He died at the age of 75.
4. Date of Death: The revered cleric passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026.
5. Place of Birth: He was born in Ilorin, the capital of present-day Kwara State.
6. Family Background: He came from a notable clerical lineage; his father, Imam Saliu Omo Onida Abdulkadir, was the 7th Chief Imam of Ilorin.
7. Position in History: Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu was the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin.
8. Year of Appointment: He assumed the position of Chief Imam in 1983.
9. Youngest at Ascension: At the time of his appointment, he was regarded as one of the youngest Chief Imams in Ilorin’s history.
10. Length of Reign: He served for more than four decades.
11. Record Holder: He is recognised as the longest-serving Chief Imam of Ilorin since 1900.
12. Early Education: He began his Qur’anic education at the Magaji Baboko Qur’anic School in Ilorin.
13. Islamic Training: He studied under respected Islamic scholars, including Shaykh Musa Nuhu Elere.
14. Advanced Studies: In 1974, he graduated from the Al-Mahad Al-Azhar Institute, specialising in Arabic and Islamic studies.
15. Scholarly Reputation: He was widely acknowledged as a learned Islamic jurist and theologian.
16. Religious Leadership: As Chief Imam, he served as the spiritual leader of Muslims in the Ilorin Emirate, presiding over major prayers and religious rites.
17. Ulama Leadership: He was Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, coordinating senior Islamic scholars across the state.
18. Peace Advocate: He was known for promoting peace, unity, tolerance and interfaith harmony.
19. National Honour: He was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in recognition of his service to Islam and society.
20. Enduring Legacy: His life and contributions were chronicled in a 369-page biography launched in November 2025, reflecting his lasting impact on Islamic scholarship and leadership.