The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, has died at the age of 75.
His death was confirmed on Monday by his Chief Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, who said the revered Islamic scholar passed away after decades of devoted service to Islam and the Ilorin Emirate.
Born in 1950 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Sheikh Saliu dedicated his life to Islamic scholarship, teaching and religious leadership. He became the 12th Chief Imam of the Ilorin Emirate in 1983, a position he held for more than 40 years.
Emir of Ilorin mourns
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Chief Imam, describing it as a monumental loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the Muslim Ummah and humanity at large.
In a condolence message issued through his Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir said:
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. It is with total submission to the will of Almighty Allah that we received the news of the demise of the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih Onida, OON.
“He was a cleric of rare intellect, integrity, loyalty, dedication and tolerance. His passing has plunged the Ilorin Emirate into immeasurable grief. We remember him as a man of honour, piety and wisdom.”
The Emir noted that the late Chief Imam was widely respected for his role in unifying Muslim clerics and promoting inter-religious harmony across Kwara State.
He also announced that the Janazah (funeral prayer) would be held at the Emir’s Palace Square at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Sulu-Gambari prayed that Almighty Allah forgive the late cleric’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
