19/01/2026
I received the news of the passing of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh (Dr.) Muhammad Bashir Salihu, with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss. He was an institution whose life was defined by scholarship, devotion to Allah (SWT), and selfless service to the Ummah.
He served diligently as the spiritual head of Ilorin and as Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, Alfas and Imams, guiding generations with wisdom, clarity, and humility.
From the pulpit, his sonorous voice consistently called the faithful to righteousness, peace, discipline, and communal harmony. His sermons and teachings further strengthened Ilorin’s historic reputation as a bastion of Islamic theology, jurisprudence, moderation, and intellectual excellence.
A worthy heir to a noble lineage of Islamic scholarship, Sheikh (Dr.) Muhammad Bashir Salihu embodied the finest values of Ilorin’s spiritual heritage. His life reflected piety, loyalty, diligence, and a deep respect for knowledge.
Beyond his role as Chief Imam, he was a teacher, mentor, and father-figure to many, shaping minds and character through learning and exemplary conduct. His leadership fostered unity within the Ilorin Emirate and strengthened the harmonious relationship between the Emirate Council and the Islamic community.
On a personal level, I will never forget the father-and-son relationship we shared. His prayers, counsel, and moral support during critical moments in my public service remain unforgettable.
My family and I, like my late father, Oloye (Dr.) Abubakar Olusola Saraki, held him in the highest esteem for his integrity and unwavering commitment to the Ummah.
As we mourn this great loss, I urge the Ilorin Emirate and the Muslim Ummah to take solace in the enduring legacy he leaves behind—a life devoted to Allah (SWT), service to humanity, and the nurturing of future generations. His works and teachings will continue to inspire generations yet unborn.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; the immediate family of the late Chief Imam; the Council of Ulama, Alfas, and Imams in Kwara State and beyond; and the entire people of the Ilorin Emirate.
I pray Almighty Allah (SWT) to forgive the shortcomings of the departed scholar, accept his decades of service as acts of ibadah, grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and comfort the Ilorin Emirate, his family, and the entire Muslim Ummah. Ameen.
Sen. (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki
13th President of the Senate & Chairman of the 8th Session of the Nigerian National Assembly