By Rasheed Abubakar
Forty two years after the return of Fadhilat Sheikh Abubakar Sidiq Jamiu Makanjuola Gaatah (RA) of Omupo, Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, to his Creator, his life remains a powerful reminder that the legacy of the righteous does not end with death.
Though he passed on Friday, January 7, 1984, his enduring influence, rooted in faith, scholarship, humility and service, continues to inspire his family, students, followers and the wider Muslim community. This reflection is not one of sorrow alone, but of gratitude for a life that still speaks across generations
“Do not think of those who are slain in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.” (Qur’an 3:169)
Lineage, Heritage, and Early Foundations
Sheikh Abubakar was born into the respected Olumu Oba Afolayan dynasty of Omupo. A prince by birth and qualified to ascend the throne, he chose scholarship over kingship, guided by his firm belief that “Alfas (Islamic scholars) are the fathers of kings.” This conviction shaped his lifelong devotion to Islamic learning and moral leadership.
His family history reflected Omupo’s deep traditional roots. His father, Jimoh Aroni, had once been a custodian of the “Oro Agogo” deity before later embracing Islam. The shrine’s proximity to the family home remains a reminder of this spiritual transition. Despite this background, Sheikh Abubakar made a conscious decision early in life to reject idol worship, prompting his relocation to Ilorin to pursue Islamic education.
The Journey into Knowledge and Scholarship
His formal Islamic education began at an Ile-Kewu, a Yoruba term for a madrasa, in Agbaji, Ilorin, where his passion for Arabic and Islamic studies took root. He later studied under Sheikh Umar Al-Falāqī, popularly known in Lagos at the time as Umar Falikay, a renowned Hausa scholar and businessman who facilitated his travels across Northern Nigeria.
Sheikh Umar Al-Falāqī served as a mentor to him and to other eminent scholars, including Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Iloriy, founder of the Arabic and Islamic Training Centre (Markaz), Agege, and the legendary Sheikh AbdulSalam Bamidele, popularly known as Baba l’Amunigun of Ibadan, among many others. He guided them in the practice of Tajdīd Yadū (spiritual renewal), in line with the scholarly tradition of his own mentor, Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abdullah Nyass (Al-Kaolakhi) of Senegal.
These journeys took Sheikh Abubakar to several parts of Northern Nigeria, including Bukuru, a notable town and the headquarters of Jos South Local Government Area in present-day Plateau State.
Alongside his studies, Sheikh Abubakar engaged in trade, selling kola nuts to sustain himself. This balance of learning and honest livelihood exposed him to diverse communities and enabled him to speak Hausa fluently, thereby expanding his da‘wah outreach and strengthening his ties with northern Muslims.
Spiritual Growth and the Tijaniyyah Path
Drawn by deep spiritual inclination, Sheikh Abubakar embraced the Tijaniyyah Sufi order. His quest for higher spiritual knowledge eventually led him to Kaolack (Khaolaq), Senegal, a major centre of the Tijaniyyah order, where he became a devoted student of Sheikh Nyass (RA), the renowned Khalifah of the Tijaniyyah.
He spent extended periods in Kaolack seeking both knowledge and spiritual refinement and maintained a lifelong bond with Shaykh Nyass. This relationship was so profound that Shaykh Nyass personally named some of his children.
Speaking with Muslim News on Wednesday, January 7, marking the 42nd anniversary of his passing, his eldest daughter, Alhaja Hamdallah Abubakar, said: “When I was born, my grandmother named me Fatimah. However, my father, who was in Senegal at the time, asked Shaykh Nyass to name me instead and requested that the name ‘Fatimah’ be reserved for another daughter he hoped to have. That was how I was named Hamdallah.”
She further recalled that Sheikh Nyass also named one of her father’s sons, Ibrahim, after himself. Sadly, Ibrahim passed away in a tragic accident in August 1994.
Additionally, as a notable feature of his scholarly life, his daughter recalled that her late father maintained a close and enduring relationship with Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass.
According to her, they belonged to a small group of about ten students who studied together under Sheikh Nyass. Among them was the Khalifah, Sheikh Muhammadul Awwal of Oshodi, who, like her father, hailed from Omupo.
Alhaja Hamdallah further noted that she once had a photograph of her father with Sheikh Nyass and the other students, but it was unfortunately lost during transfers between different people. She said this memory reflects the depth of her father’s religiosity and his strong standing among scholars of his time.
A Humble Host and Contented Servant of Allah
When Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass visited Lagos, Sheikh Abubakar hosted him around Bode Thomas, Surulere due to lack of spacious accommodation, it overflowed with sincerity and warmth. His senior wife personally prepared meals for the respected Muslim scholar, reflecting a household grounded in simplicity, generosity, and devotion.
Moral Integrity and Interfaith Relations
Living in a multi-religious society, Sheikh Abubakar upheld Islam firmly while maintaining peaceful and respectful relationships with adherents of other faiths. He was widely known for his honesty, fairness, and ability to reconcile families and settle disputes.
His commitment to service was remarkable. He consistently placed the needs of others above his own comfort, often neglecting his meals while attending to community concerns. His life was a practical embodiment of patience, sacrifice, and selflessness.
Teacher, Trader, and Community Leader
Sheikh Abubakar lived a balanced and principled life, combining scholarship, trade, and public service. In his early years, he sold kola nuts, and later traded in sandals, particularly around the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island. Despite his influence and recognition, he remained content with modest means.
His Stint in Politics
For a brief period, he participated in politics and served as a councillor in Omupo during the Zero Party era. It was during this time that the Omupo Community Primary School was established. However, he later withdrew from politics to devote himself fully to Islamic scholarship and community service.
Relationship with Scholars and Students
Sheikh Abubakar mentored and trained many students who later became respected scholars. Among them was the late Sheikh Yusuf Adewuyi, founder of Ibadullah Islamic Schools, Amukoko, Lagos. His students consistently described him as a man of truth, sound knowledge, and deep spirituality.
This strong bond of scholarship and mentorship has continued across generations. Speaking with Muslim News on Wednesday, January 7, the late Sheikh Abubakar’s eldest son, Fadilat Sheikh Abdulfatah Makanjuola, confirmed that a longstanding relationship still exists between the Abubakar and Adewuyi families.
He noted that this relationship is a continuation of the close ties that existed between his late father and Sheikh Yusuf Adewuyi, rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and a common commitment to Islamic education and service to the Ummah.
Remembered for Truth, Knowledge, and Service
More than four decades after his passing, Sheikh Abubakar is still remembered for his outstanding qualities. He was known for his truthfulness, befitting his namesake, Abubakar As-Siddiq (RA), the first Caliph of Islam and the closest companion of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He was also recognised for his deep knowledge and spiritual insight, as well as the moral authority and respect he commanded within the community. His children testify that he lived strictly by Islamic teachings and never compromised his values.
Message to the Living
To the children, students, and followers of Fadhilat Sheikh Abubakar Sidiq Jamiu Makanjuola Gaatah (RA), his legacy lives on through you. As long as his values of truth, faith, humility, and service are upheld, his journey continues. May Allah grant you steadfastness upon the path he laid.
Closing Prayer
O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him. Illuminate his grave and make it a garden of Jannah. Raise him among the truthful, the scholars, and the righteous. Accept his return to You and reward him for every soul he guided and every life he touched. Ameen.
* Rasheed Abubakar is the Publisher of Muslim News Nigeria. Email: rawshield123@gmail.com
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Sponsored
