Alfa Oba Sholagberu: A Note on Ilorin Emirate’s “Guardian of Knowledge”

By Abubakar Imam

Today, Friday, January 2, 2026, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, will play host to thousands of individuals who will witness the official turbaning of one of the Imams of the National Mosque, Abuja, Shaykh Dr Abdulkadir Jumuah As-Salman Sholagberu, as the first Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin. Yes, Dr Sholagberu is the first holder of the position in the over two centuries history of the southernmost Emirate.

Dr Sholagberu has a background. He is well rooted. His emergence as the Malami Ubandoma (Guardian of Knowledge) of Ilorin is deeply entrenched in the history of the community.

For more than two centuries, Ilorin has always been a bastion of Islamic scholarship. The “unique sociocultural polity”, which Ilorin has “come to become” has produced thousands of extensively productive intellectuals in the realm of Islamic and Arabic scholarship like no other place, particularly across the south of the River Niger. Many of these scholars have been credited with the exportation of their glittering knowledge to southern Nigeria and other parts of the West Africa subregion where Ilorin is duly recognised, most importantly, as the bastion of Islamic intellectualism.

Quite a number of scholars who perpetuated the intellectual legacies of the founding fathers of the southernmost Emirate remained at home just to ensure that the image of the community does not flaunts. A number of such distinguished scholars intermittently worked at home and elsewhere in the course of their careers, all in a bid to promote that exciting inheritance.

As colourful and significant as the contributions of those scholars, over the last two centuries have been, it is an incontestable fact that it is the present Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, who deliberately created and sustained traditional titles with specific Islamic connotations or colouration in honour of selected and deserving leaders of the community’s Islamic intelligentsia. Without a modicum of adulation, it is an incontrovertible conclusion that no other Emir of Ilorin and, in fact, no other Muslim traditional ruler in contemporary Nigeria has done as much as the Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs is doing in creating a sense of belonging among Islamic scholars of his domain through the creation and conferment of traditional titles on deserving ones.

I say this with the benefit of the information available to me that since the creation of the offices of Central Imamates in the early part of the history of Ilorin Emirate and the conferment of the title of “Amir Waizin”(Chief Preacher) on Shaykh Muhammad Salisu Kokewukobere (d. 1935) by the 8th Emir of Ilorin, Shaykh Abdulkadir Shuaib Bawa, CBE in the early 1930s and the recognition of a distinguished teacher, Alfa Sule Olohuntele of Okesuna as the Mukadam of Ilorin around 1953, it was the incumbent Emir who reenacted the positive trend with the creation and conferment of the title of Grand Mufti of Ilorin on the unforgettable founder of the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria and Abroad, Shaykh Muhammad Kamaluddeen Al-Adabiyy, MFR, OFR, ORSA, FISN in 2004.

The Emir did not stop at that. He went on to reestablish the title of Grand Mukadam, which was conferred on Shaykh AbdulRahman Temim in 2008.The title was passed to Shaykh Suleiman Abubakar Dan-Borno upon the death of the previous holder. The Emir, who is also the Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs went on to establish the title of Sarkin Malamai and conferred the position on the pioneer Grand Kadi of Kwara State, Honourable Justice Abdulkadir Orire, CON.

On Thursday, July 22, 2021, His Royal Highness, in yet another fascinating display of exemplary leadership, which has marked his quite colourful reign, created the prestigious title of Malami Ubandoma in honour of a truly deserving scholar and worker in the vineyard of Islamic erudition. While its holder is deserving of the honour, the title was most unexpected. Because of our linguistic peculiarities, many indigenes of Ilorin Emirate, including this author, heard the title for the first time through the Emir.

The title was hitherto peculiar to Sokoto, “the seat of the caliphate” . My findings revealed that the holder of the title is probably the closet and the most trusted religious advisor to the spiritual and political head of the caliphate, the Sultan of Sokoto and Sarkin Musulumi himself.

Writing on its significance, Dr AbdulAzeez Arowona, a journalist and public relations practitioner who has written extensively on royalty, posited that the title is usually “conferred on a distinguished and trusted cleric who has demonstrated strong commitment to the advancement of knowledge, philanthropy, religious ideal and socioeconomic advancement of the society with impeccable accomplishments”

He added that “the title is exclusively reserved and conferred on any person who has over the years proved himself by his commitment to education, believing that it is the catalyst to human capital development among all. The title is usually given to a cleric who holds the Emir in very high esteem”

The office, which is the newest in the traditional sociocultural lexicon of Ilorin was given to no less a person than an accomplished teacher, outstanding preacher and internationally renowned scholar and proprietor of a phenomenal Arabic and Islamic Institute,
Shaykh (Dr)Abdulkadir Muhammad Jumuah Salman Sholagberu, who, today and by the special grace of Allah,is also one of the Imams of the National Mosque, Abuja.

The first Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin, who is generally known as Alfa Oba Sholagberu or Oba Pakistan among his contemporaries across Ilorin, has proven to be a vibrant, energetic and enterprising scholar who effectively combines teaching and research with preaching and community services to the amazement of Ilorin patriots.

The appointment of Dr Sholagberu as Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin did not come as a surprise to either this author or the greatest majority of informed people of Ilorin. This is because Dr Sholagberu has been an active scholar, energetic role model and a chip of the old block. His enterprising scholarship in the field of Arabic and Islamic studies, exemplary manner of propagating Islam and absolute readiness to serve and protect the interests of Ilorin Emirate clearly, among other fascinating characters and characteristics, earned him the prestigious title.

Those who have been following the trends of development within and around the Ilorin Emirate in the last three decades and even much earlier would agree with yours sincerely that the name and reputation of Alfa Oba Sholagberu have been purely associated with the propagation of Islam and patriotic dispositions and entrenchment and enhancement of the greatness of Ilorin Emirate and what it stand for.

Dr Sholagberu is a man who truly deserves the title. He is not only knowledgeable but also morally outstanding. His personal civility, corporate comportment and intellectual sophistication have made him to be quite close to the spiritual and political headquarters of the Ilorin Emirate; the ancient palace of Ilorin.

The Mudirul Darul Kitab, as he is affectionately addressed by “awon Omo Ile kewu” across Ilorin, has proven to be a peerless innovator and as someone who is above board in an enterprise that is getting polluted by charlatans.

Despite his fame, wealth, influence and connection, the name of Dr Sholagberu has never been associated with any form of controversy, indecency, extremism and frivolity. His identity has been synonymous with erudition, piety, civility, service and patriotism.

The pioneer Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin was born about six decades ago in the historic city of Ilorin. His father was Ashaykh Al-Imam Muhammad Jumuah AbdulKareem Salaudeen, the immediate past Imam of Olodo Quarter Mosque, Abayawo, Ilorin. His beloved mother is Hajiya Maryam Salaudeen, who hails from Share, the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Dr Sholagberu had his primary education at Alore Primary School, Oke-Apomu, Ilorin. He started his journey into the field of Islamic scholarship as a pupil of Shaykh Salman Gidado Sholagberu, who was popularly called Alufa Ile Kewu. It was under the watchful eyes of Shaykh Sholagberu, who was the Proprietor of Ma’sharus Soliheen Arabic and Islamic Institute, Ilorin, that he received both his primary and secondary Arabic education.

Having been well groomed at home, the pioneer Malami Ubandoma became so imbued with confidence in himself and his Creator that, even as a young boy, he felt sufficiently prepared to leave the comfort of his family and the shores of Nigeria for a foreign land. It was to Pakistan he departed. In Pakistan, he attended As-Salafiyyat University from where he received a First Class degree in Sharia in 1992. He followed up his first degree with a Master’s degree in the same field of studies in 1995.

Notwithstanding the fact that he has inculcated relatively sufficient knowledge, which created a respectable space for him in the comity of Islamic scholars of “the blessed oven of Islamic scholarship”, Dr Sholagberu’s determination never to limit his knowledge propelled him to seek admission into a University again for his terminal degree. He was subsequently trained at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he capped his intimidating academic qualifications with a doctorate degree in 2011. His dissertation was entitled “Analytical Study of Contextual Role in Determining Meaning of Suratul Al-Imran”.

Apart from his regular receipt of knowledge from reputable institutions of learning within and outside Nigeria, the first Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin has also had the privilege of interacting with and learning from celebrated internationally renowned scholars many of whom he met at global academic arena. These scholars include Sheikh Adnan bn Muhammad Al-Arur and Sheikh Ally Al-Hakamy as well as Sheikh Abdullah bn Bayah, who is the Vice-President of International Union of Muslim Scholars. It was under the watchful eyes of this particular scholar that he studied “the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence” for about seven (7) years.

Dr Sholagberu also benefited from the ocean of knowledge of the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad Muhammad Toyyib, who is currently the most influential cleric in Egypt and Prof. Abdul Lateef Hassan As-Shafi, the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Egypt. He also studied under the supervision of a former Vice-Chancellor of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Prof. Ahmad Omar Hashir and Sheikh Abdul Moshen Al-Obeikan.

Being endowed with knowledge is not as beautiful and compelling as ensuring the transmission of such knowledge in order to ensure its perpetuation for the benefit of present and subsequent generations. Dr Sholagberu was and remains of the solid conviction that “a candle loses nothing by lightening another candle”. And so, as soon as he returned to Ilorin from his exciting oversea training, the Malami Ubandoma plunged himself into the business of training of younger ones. He, therefore, devoted all his resources (mental, physical, economical and spiritual) to the establishment of the popular Darul Kitab Was-Sunnah College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin. The College, which is affiliated to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, is one of the most sought after and influential Arabic and Islamic Training schools in contemporary Nigeria, particularly in Ilorin.

Today, the College is a success and a pride to the founder and his compatriots. Graduates of the school, who are now doing quite well in several realms, were subsequently trained at global institutions like Al-Azhar University, Cairo; Islamic University, Madinah; the University of Riyadh and the University of Qatar to mention a few.

This outstanding scholar, apart from training hundreds of serious scholars who are joining forces with others in the propagation of Islam and its civilisation not only in Nigeria but also across the world, is also renowned for his support for the widows, orphans and other categories of the less privileged. He has also provided free education for thousands of deserving youths who are today breadwinners of their families.

His contributions is also quite noticeable in the building of Mosques. No fewer than 41 mosques have been built through him within and outside Ilorin Emirate through which thousands of Muslims have been afforded decent places of worship.

Unlike some of his contemporaries who believed that they can only advance their career through the attenuation or outright destruction of the worthy pioneering efforts of their illustrious predecessors, the Malami Ubandoma has been an avid protector and projector of the intellectual legacies of the scholars of the past. He is also a collaborator to worthy members of the phasing generations of Islamic scholars.

His admiration for the progeny, works and intellectual contributions of Shaykh Salihu bn Janta, the founding father of the Ilorin ruling dynasty; Shaykh Muhammad Tajul Adab, the bridge between archaic and modern styles of Islamic learning in Yoruba land; Shaykh Muhammad Kamaluddeen Al-Adabiyy, the celebrated founder of the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria; Shaykh Yusuf Agbaji, the founding father of Zumuratul Muminina group; Shaykh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, the exceptional founder of Arabic and Islamic Training Centre (Markaz), Agege; and Shaykh Abubakar Salaudeen Agbarigidoma, among others, have continuously won him my personal admiration and those of other compatriots.

Dr Sholagberu, who has attended no fewer than 50 international conferences on Islam, Sharia and human development in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Bahrain, among other places, in the course of which his intellectualism and world view were broadened and sharpened, is also a prolific author. He has published four intellectually stimulating books. He also has the same number of unpublished treatises, all of which contributed to the growth of Arabic and Islamic knowledge and human capital development.

In addition to the above, the Malami Ubandoma has been found very useful by the Kwara State Government and the Ilorin Emirate in a number of ways and over a number of times. He is the pioneer Chairman of the Kwara State Arabic Education Board, a position to which he was appointed by the immediate past Executive Governor of Kwara State, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed. The Emir of Ilorin also appointed him as the National President of Shehu Alimi Islamic Foundation for Peace and Development, an organisation which has busied itself with the propagation of Islam and projection of the peculiar culture of peace and tolerance Ilorin is renowned. He is also a Member of the Council of Ulama of Ilorin Emirate as well as the Council of Ulama of Kwara State.

Dr Sholagberu, who is married and blessed with promising children, was last year appointed as one of the Imams of the National Mosque, Abuja. He is the first Kwaran to bag the appointment and he has been discharging his responsibilities to the fullest.

An ardent lover of Ilorin culture, Dr Sholagberu is a prominent Member of the Engr Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa’s led Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee. He is also a Member of the Board of Trustees of Muslim Orphanage Foundation, Ilorin. At international level, this great son of Ilorin is a functional and well-respected Member of the World Muslim Congress, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is also a Member of the International Union of Islamic Scholars, Doha, Qatar, to mention a few.

In appreciation of his services here and there, this exciting Orator has won several honours and awards locally and at international levels. He has received honours from the World Muslim Congress and Al-Azhar University, Cairo He is also a recipient of honours from the Jamaat Nasril Islam, NASFAT and Al-Qoreeb Muslim organisations as well as from educational institutions like Markaz, Agege; Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin; the Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, Ilorin and the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

Going by his resume, it should be crystal clear to all and sundry that Dr Sholagberu actually deserves the honour conferred on him by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin. The title has, no doubt, secured a comfortable space for him in the annals of Ilorin.

Apart from being the first holder of the title in Ilorin, Dr Sholagberu is also the first doctorate degree holder who will be conferred with an honourary “trado-religious” title in the history of Ilorin.

As Dr Sholagberu is turbaned as the first Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin, I join his friends, students, relations and colleagues in thanking the Emir of Ilorin for deeming it fit to confer the prestigious title on the Proprietor of the proposed Darul Kitab University, Agbeyangi, Ilorin.

While I am confident that he would use the privilege of the title to advance the cause of Islamic learning and other forms of services to Islam and human development in Ilorin Emirate and beyond, it is my prayers that the Almighty Allah should continue to bless him with all it would take to discharge the responsibilities of the office to the fullest.

Imam is the immediate past National Secretary, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union.