The Ilorin Emirate is in deep mourning after the death of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, the Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Council of Ulama, who passed away at 75 years old on Monday.
Gatekeepers News reports that his passing was confirmed by Islamic leaders in Ilorin and has been met with tributes from both religious and political figures.
Sheikh Saliu, who was born in Ilorin, Kwara State, devoted his life to Islamic scholarship and community service. He became the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin in 1983 at the age of 33 and served for more than four decades, making him one of the longest-serving spiritual leaders in the emirate’s history.
Educated first in local Qur’anic schools and later in advanced Islamic sciences, Sheikh Saliu rose through years of study and teaching to become a respected authority in Islamic jurisprudence and spiritual guidance. His father also served as a former Chief Imam, continuing a family legacy of religious leadership in the community.
During his long tenure, he was known for his deep knowledge of Islam, calm leadership, and strong messages promoting peace, unity, tolerance, and moral conduct among Muslims and beyond. His voice on the pulpit and in public forums was seen as a source of guidance and stability for generations of worshippers in Kwara State.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described the late Chief Imam’s death as a colossal loss to the emirate, the wider Muslim community, and society at large, praising his wisdom, honesty, and dedication to harmony among religious groups. The Emir announced that the janazah (funeral prayer) would be held at the Palace Square later on Monday.
Former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki also expressed sorrow, calling Sheikh Saliu a symbol of faith, knowledge, and selfless service whose influence reached beyond Ilorin and Kwara State. Saraki extended his condolences to the Emir, the late Imam’s family, and the entire Muslim community.
Details of the burial arrangements are expected to be released by the Ilorin Emirate Council as the community continues to honour the life and legacy of a religious leader who shaped decades of spiritual life in the region.
