* As thousands thronged Emir’s Palace to bid farewell to Sheikh Bashir Solih
* Sultan of Sokoto, ex-minister Pantami, Chief Imam of Lagos, MURIC, others pay tributes to 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin
Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was on Tuesday, January 20, enveloped in deep mourning as thousands of Muslims, traditional rulers, political leaders, scholars and sympathisers from across Nigeria gathered to bid farewell to the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr.) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, OON, who was laid to rest amid tears, prayers and solemn dirges.
The revered Islamic scholar, who died on Monday at the age of 75, was buried following a highly emotional Janazah prayer held at the forecourt of the Palace of the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR.
The funeral prayer was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Shaykh Abdullahi Abdulhameed.
On this day, Saturday, 15 October 1983, Shaykh (Dr.) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, OON, was turbaned as the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, a sacred trust he upheld in the Ilorin Emirate until Monday, 19 January 2026. pic.twitter.com/RLkFis2dx7
— Ààre Túndé Gẹ́síndé “Anígìlàjẹ́” (@hadj_gesinde) January 19, 2026
Muslim News gathered that from the early hours of Tuesday, Ilorin witnessed an unprecedented influx of mourners, as major roads leading to the Emir’s Palace were filled with worshippers chanting prayers and verses from the Qur’an in honour of the late Chief Imam, who served the Ilorin Emirate and the Muslim Ummah with distinction for over 40 years.
Leading the delegation of the Kwara State Government was Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau. The governor described the late Chief Imam as an eminent global scholar, a man of impeccable character and a bridge-builder whose legacy of peace and scholarship would endure.
“Our late father, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Dr. Muhammad Bashir, was an eminent global scholar of repute. He was a man of impeccable character and proven integrity; a role model to Muslims,” Governor AbdulRazaq said.
“He was very generous and deeply passionate about peaceful coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims, between indigenes of the emirate and those who have come to live among us. He inspired many young people into Islamic scholarship, education and community service.”
The governor prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased and condoled with the Emir of Ilorin, the Council of Ulama, the immediate family and the entire people of Ilorin and Kwara State.
Janaza prayer for the late imam of ilorin 🕊 pic.twitter.com/RmEgPD6clv
— TENIOLA (@Teeniiola) January 20, 2026
Also in attendance were former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; the Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa; prominent Islamic scholars; and top government officials, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah; Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa; Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Danmaigoro; and Dr. Ghali Alaya.
Saliu Mustapha, Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District; Shaykh Dr. Teliat Yunus Ayilara, Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland; and Alhaji Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, among others, were also present.
The Janazah was marked by emotional scenes as scholars, students and ordinary residents openly wept, reflecting the deep bond the late Chief Imam shared with the people. Many described him as a father figure, counsellor and moral compass who stood firmly for justice, moderation and unity.
Sultan of Sokoto
In separate condolence messages, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, paid glowing tribute to the late Muslim scholar, describing him as a towering scholar who dedicated his life to the service of Allah, Islam and humanity.
“His loyalty to the principles of Islam, wisdom in guiding the faithful, and profound knowledge of Islamic scholarship earned him great respect,” the Sultan said. “His efforts in promoting peaceful coexistence, unity and harmony among Muslims and non-Muslims were exemplary. He was a beacon of hope to the Ilorin Emirate and the entire Muslim Ummah.”
Chief Imam of Lagos
Similarly, the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Shaykh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, described the death of Shaykh Bashir Solih as a huge loss to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.
He noted that the late Chief Imam was widely respected for his humility, sound scholarship and unwavering commitment to peace, moral uprightness and religious harmony.
“The vacuum created by his passing will be difficult to fill,” Shaykh Abou-Nolla said, praying that Allah forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
Prof Isa Ali Pantami
Also speaking, in his condolence message, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON, described the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin as a monumental loss to the Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State and the entire Muslim Ummah.
Prof. Pantami said he received the news of the passing of the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin with deep sadness but with total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, noting that the revered Islamic scholar returned to his Lord in the early hours of Monday at the age of 75.
According to him, the late Chief Imam was a towering religious leader, a distinguished scholar and a moral compass whose life was defined by knowledge, integrity, devotion to Allah and selfless service to humanity.
“The demise of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih is indeed a monumental loss, not only to the Ilorin Emirate and the people of Kwara State, but to the entire Muslim Ummah and humanity at large,” Pantami said.
He noted that throughout his decades of service on the Mimbar, the late Chief Imam exemplified wisdom, tolerance, humility and courage, earning widespread respect for his intellectual depth, honesty and unwavering commitment to the unity of the Ummah.
Pantami added that the cleric’s consistent advocacy for peace, moderation, discipline and harmony strengthened social cohesion and reinforced Ilorin’s historic status as a centre of Islamic scholarship and spiritual excellence.
MURIC
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), at the national level and through its Kwara State Chapter, also expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, describing his passing as a monumental loss to Ilorin Emirate and the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah.
In a condolence message signed by the Chairman of MURIC, Kwara State Chapter, Alhaji Taofeek Jaji, the organisation extended its heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CON; the immediate family of the late Chief Imam; and the entire people of Ilorin Emirate over the painful loss of the revered Islamic scholar and spiritual leader.
End of an era as Ilorin Chief Imam, Sheikh Bashir Salihu, dies at 75
* Kwara Gov, Emir of Ilorin mourn; sons and daughters of Ilorin to converge at Palace Square for Janazah on Tuesday
Sheikh Salihu served in the position for over 40 years… https://t.co/SDHdRzkzPy #MuslimNews pic.twitter.com/5kOXp5wkfp
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) January 19, 2026
According to MURIC, the late Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih was a symbol of sound Islamic scholarship, humility, moderation and unwavering commitment to the propagation of Islam, whose influence and guidance transcended the Ilorin Emirate.
“The demise of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih is not only a monumental loss to Ilorin Emirate but also to the Nigerian Muslim Ummah at large,” the statement read.
Brief about the late Chief Imam of Ilorin
Born into a lineage of Islamic scholarship, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih served as the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin for over four decades, having been turbaned in 1983.
He was also Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, Alfas and Imams, and played a pivotal role in guiding traditional rulers, public office holders and the wider Muslim community.
The Fidau prayer for the late Chief Imam is scheduled to hold on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the Ilorin Central Mosque.
As Ilorin emirate mourns, many agree that the legacy of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih , rooted in faith, scholarship, unity and peaceful coexistence, will continue to inspire generations to come.
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