Oyo Grand Chief Imam describes late Ilorin Imam as pillar of faith, scholarship

The ancient city of Ilorin and the entire Muslim community in Nigeria have been thrown into deep mourning following the passing of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, OON, whose death has been described as the end of a remarkable era in Islamic leadership.

Reacting to the sad development, the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, expressed profound sorrow over the demise of the revered cleric, who returned to Allah on Monday, January 19, 2026, after a brief illness.

In a condolence message issued on behalf of the Muslim Ummah in Oyo Land, the Grand Chief Imam extended heartfelt sympathies to the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Ilorin Emirate; the immediate family of the deceased; and the entire Muslim community within and beyond Kwara State.

Describing the late Chief Imam as a spiritual leader of rare depth and exceptional influence, Sheikh Akeugberu noted that Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih was not only a distinguished Islamic scholar but also an extraordinary orator whose voice and wisdom transcended the boundaries of Ilorin.

The late cleric, who was appointed during the reign of the 9th Emir of Ilorin, the late Shehu Zuluqarnaini Gambari Mohammed, rose to become the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin and served the Ummah faithfully for more than four decades.

During this period, he offered spiritual guidance under three successive Emirs, earning admiration for his consistency, humility, and unwavering dedication to the principles of Islam.

According to the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, the late Imam’s long reign was marked by intellectual brilliance, deep scholarship, and a passionate commitment to the moral and spiritual upliftment of society.

His national honours, global recognition, and academic distinctions, he said, stood as clear testimonies to a life devoted to knowledge, service, and excellence in religious leadership.

“The demise of Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih marks the end of a remarkable era in the religious history of Ilorin,” Sheikh Akeugberu declared. “His legacy of moderation, eloquence, humility, and principled leadership will continue to inspire generations of scholars, clerics, and the wider Muslim community.”

While mourning what he described as a monumental loss, the Grand Chief Imam urged the Ummah to find comfort in the enduring impact of the late Imam’s life of service and to remain steadfast in unity, peace, and devotion to Allah.

He further prayed that Almighty Allah forgive the shortcomings of the departed scholar, accept his numerous good deeds, grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and comforts the government and people of Kwara State, the Ilorin Emirate, and the entire Muslim Ummah.

The passing of Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih has drawn tributes from religious leaders, traditional rulers, scholars, and faithful across Nigeria and beyond, all acknowledging the departure of a towering spiritual figure whose influence shaped Islamic thought and practice for generations.