By Ayomide Otitoju
The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, has died at the age of 75.
His passing was confirmed on Monday by his Chief Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, who said the revered cleric died after decades of dedicated service to Islam and the Ilorin Emirate.
Born in 1950 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Sheikh Saliu devoted his life to Islamic scholarship and religious leadership. He was appointed the 12th Chief Imam of the Ilorin Emirate in 1983, a position he held for more than 40 years.
Reacting to the death, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed deep sorrow, describing the loss as monumental to the Ilorin Emirate, the Muslim Ummah, and humanity at large.
In a condolence message issued by 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 receive the news of the demise of the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih Onida, OON.
“He was a cleric with unique qualities—intelligence, honesty, loyalty, dedication and tolerance. His demise has brought immeasurable sadness to the Ilorin Emirate. He lived a life of honour and piety.”
The Emir noted that the late Chief Imam was widely respected for his wisdom, efforts at uniting Muslim clerics, and promotion of interfaith harmony across the state.
According to the statement, the Janazah prayer will be held at the Palace Square of the Emir of Ilorin at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Sulu-Gambari prayed Almighty Allah to forgive the late cleric, accept his good deeds, and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
