* Renowned Islamic scholar and academic takes over from Prof. Mufutau Abdulrahman after his retirement
It is a new dawn for the Muslim community at the University of Ibadan as the Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Professor Ibrahim Olatunde Uthman, FIPMD, as the new Chief Imam of the institution’s Central Mosque.
The announcement was made on Sunday, October 19, 2025, during a Board meeting held in the conference room of the University of Ibadan Central Mosque.
While presenting the report of the Shuurah Committee, Professor Emeritus Musiliu Onilude, President of the UI Muslim Community, outlined 12 criteria used in the selection of the renowned Islamic Studies scholar and academic.
According to a press statement signed by Idris Olabode Badiru, Publicity Secretary of the UI Muslim Community, the selection was based on criteria including sound knowledge of Islam, integrity, humility, eloquence, deep spirituality, and other exemplary qualities.
Professor Uthman is the immediate past Head of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University and had served as Assistant Imam under the outgoing Chief Imam, Professor Mufutau Abdulrahman, who retires on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the age of 70.
He holds a PhD in Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion from the International Islamic University, Malaysia, with research interests spanning Islamic studies, modernism, and feminism.
Prof. Uthman is a prolific scholar, having published several journal articles on topics such as The Sharīʿah and Muslim Feminists’ Public Display of the Female Body, Feminism in Postmodern Society: An Islamic Perspective, and The Institution of Jihad and the Yoruba Experience. His works also address themes of sustainability, development, and gender dynamics in Islam.
He previously taught at the International Islamic University Malaysia and served as the pioneering Acting Head of Department at Crescent University Abeokuta’s Department of Islamic Religious and General Studies.
A product of the University of Ibadan himself, Prof. Uthman was actively involved in Islamic student leadership during his undergraduate years, having served as a Student Imam and President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), UI Chapter.
Professor Uthman is happily married and blessed with children.
Sponsored
Muslim News Award 2024
Sponsored
