* Urges him to lead with wisdom, compassion
* I’ll dedicate my knowledge to serve Oyo: Sheikh Akinola
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has officially appointed Nigerian lawyer and Islamic scholar, Sheikh Bilal Oseni Akinola, as the new Chief Imam of Oyo Kingdom.
In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Paramount Ruler on Monday, November 11, Oba Owoade I congratulated Akinola on his selection, describing the imamship role as a sacred trust in the sight of Allah and a great responsibility to the Muslim Ummah.
“Having passed through the duly constituted screening teams, I have the pleasure to inform you that you have been selected by me as the new Chief Imam of Oyo city,” the monarch said.
Muslim News gathered that the office of the Chief Imam of Oyo has been vacant since 2022, following the death of the former Chief Imam, Sheikh Moshood Ajokidero, who returned to Allah after years of dedicated service to the Muslim community in Oyo.
Oba Owoade emphasized that the Chief Imam is not only a leader of prayer but a moral guide, voice of peace, and symbol of unity.
He charged the new Chief Imam to lead with humility, wisdom, and justice, noting that the role demands sincere service to Allah, the palace, and the wider community.
“I call upon Alhaji Bilaal Oseni Akinola to be a light to the people, a voice of truth, and a pillar of peace. May Almighty Allah bless him with sound judgment, patience, and the courage to carry out his duties faithfully,” the statement added.
I’ll dedicate my knowledge to serve Oyo: Sheikh Akinola
Sheikh Akinola shared his vision for the ancient city, emphasizing its historical, cultural, and religious significance. He described Oyo as a city of unmatched prominence and spiritual leadership within Yoruba land.
Expressing his commitment, Sheikh Akinola pledged to dedicate his intellectual resources and deep knowledge in Islamic doctrinal sciences and jurisprudence to serve the community.
He promised to lead with wisdom and moderation, firmly rejecting fundamentalism, extremism, and unfounded indoctrination in the practice of Islam.
The learned lawyer stressed that Oyo requires a Chief Imam who not only has a strong grasp of Islamic tenets, ethics, morals, and etiquette but also possesses maturity and impartiality to resolve disputes fairly and effectively.
Concluding his statement, Sheikh Akinola prayed for Allah’s continued blessings on Oyo Town and its people, as well as protection and prosperity for His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo.
PROFILE: Sheikh Bilal Akinola – A scholar and legal expert
The newly appointed Chief Imam of Oyo Kingdom brings a strong blend of Islamic scholarship and legal expertise to the revered position.
Born on April 15, 1965, into the respected Ogunbado family of Akeugberu, Oyo West Local Government Area, Oyo State, Sheikh Bilal is the son of the late Alhaji Shaykh Imam Bilal Akano Ogunbado.
Alhaji Bilal began his formal education at St. Mary Catholic Primary School, Ashogo, Oyo. He later obtained his General Certificate of Education (GCE) in 1984 and 1986, before proceeding to the Arabic Institute of Nigeria, Elekuro, Ibadan in 1987, where he deepened his Islamic knowledge.
He earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1992. He subsequently completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in 1993 at Wurno Local Government Area.
His background reflects a rare combination of Western legal education and Islamic scholarship, positioning him as a capable leader for the spiritual and moral guidance of the Oyo Muslim Ummah.
Comes to sacred office with rich background
Sheikh Akinola comes into the sacred office with a rich background in law, federal public service, and Islamic propagation (Da’wah), spanning over three decades.
Following his call to the legal profession, Alhaji Bilal underwent professional tutelage and pupilage under the late Barrister Niyi Badmus & Co. at Inaolaji Shopping Complex, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, between 1995 and 2000. His time at the chambers helped shape his legal acumen and broadened his understanding of societal needs.
In 2001, he joined the Federal Public Service as a Prepayment Officer with the now-defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), later Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). He served diligently in that role, also handling legal correspondences, until 2013.
With the transition to the privatized Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Sheikh Akinola served as the Officer in Charge of the Prepayment Department between 2013 and 2015, where he was known for professionalism and ethical conduct.
After voluntarily disengaging from service in August 2015, Sheikh Akinola dedicated himself fully to Islamic propagation. He has since remained consistent in Da’wah efforts, focusing on spreading Islamic knowledge, promoting ethical conduct, and strengthening unity among the Muslim Ummah.
His appointment as Chief Imam of Oyo comes as recognition of not only his scholarly and professional qualifications but also his unwavering commitment to the spiritual upliftment of the Muslim community.
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