Ex-NAHCON Commissioner, Prof. Badmas, Buried In Ilọrin

Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara state, was thrown into mourning weekend following the death of a renowned scholar and Islamic jurist, Professor Lanre Yusuf Badmas.

He died at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos following a brief illness.

Until his death, he was the Chairman of the National Hijrah Ummatul-Islamiyyah and ex-National Commissioner of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

His passing was announced on Friday by the Personal Assistant to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Abdulraheem Muritala, via his official Facebook page.

His body was flown home for his burial in Ilọrin.

Highly respected in the academia and religious circles nationally, the deceased served as Dean of Post Graduate Studies, University of Ilọrin and Director of the Linguistics Immersion Centre among several others.

He had also chaired the Board of the Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies.

An accomplished Islamic scholar, the deceased who specialised in Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence) often spoke on national development, moral renewal, and workers’ welfare.

Among other notable engagements, he was the Imam of Maimasa Mosque, Chief Imam of Hilal (Crescent) Islamic Centre and a member of the Kwara State Council of Ulama.

His death comes barely eleven days after the passing of the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Solih, who died on January 19, 2026, at the age of 75.

It also came five days after the death of the Chief Imam of Kaiama, Alhaji Umar Sabi Muhammed, also died on January 24, 2026.

The three incidents in less than two weeks added to the period of grief recorded in January within Kwara’s religious community.

Prof. Badmas had a scholarly link with the late Chief Imam.

He reviewed his biography titled “The Spiritual Orator”, which chronicles Imam Bashir’s clerical journey.

He was represented at the book presentation by his son, an associate professor at the University of Ilorin.

His Janazah on Saturday witnessed a mammoth at the Maimasa family compound in the Ojagboro area of Ilorin where he was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.

The solemn prayer was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhamid, around past 11:00 am assisted by Imam Gambari, Sheikh Sulyman Abdulazeez and the Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin, Sheikh Mujitaba Bature.

The burial drew dignitaries from within the state and across the country.

The roll call include the Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Shelkh Sulyman Farooq Onikijipa, National Missioner of Ansaru Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdulRahman Ahmad, Former Grand Khadi of Kwara state Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Idris Haroon and Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdulkadir Oba Sholagberu.

Others are former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede and the Kuliyan Ngeri of Ilorin, Professor Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN).

Also in attendance are the Zanna of Ilohrin, Engr. Yusuf Lanre Sagaya, the Ciroma of Ilorin, Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari (SAN) and former Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State governor, Alhaji Mas’ud Adebimpe among others.

In his condolence message by his Press Secretary, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona, Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed deep sadness over the demise.

The monarch described the deceased as a world-class scholar and Islamic cleric whose impact extended across Ilorin and beyond.

He prayed Almighty Allah grant the deceased forgiveness, accept his good deeds, and admit him into Al‑janatul Firdaus.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, expressed deep sorrow over the death of Prof Badmas.

The Sultan described the late professor as an academic titan whose loss would be deeply felt across Nigeria, Kwara State, and the Muslim Ummah.

He noted that while death is an inevitable call from Allah, the passing of Professor Badmas represents a significant blow to Islamic jurisprudence and scholarship in the country.

“Professor Lanre Badmas was a great friend, a brother, and a highly accomplished scholar in both academic and Islamic knowledge. We shared a long relationship, and his contributions to education, as well as to the peace and unity initiatives we are passionately pursuing in Nigeria, will not be forgotten anytime soon. He was truly a great man,” the Sultan said in a statement by his Media Team.

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, noted that Prof Badmas’s death was “a painful loss to Ilorin, Kwara State and the entire Muslim Ummah.”

In a statement signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki described him as “a distinguished academic and seasoned administrator who served the University of Ilorin with dedication and excellence”.

He added that the deceased “contributed immensely to Islamic scholarship and the moral development of the society through his deep knowledge and balanced views.”

Saraki also extended condolences to the Emir of Ilorin and the family further prayed that “Almighty Allah (SWT) forgives his shortcomings, grants him Aljannah Firdaus, and comforts his family, colleagues, students and the entire Ilorin community”.

Speaking of Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr Yakubu Danladi-Soliu said “Professor Badmas was far more than an academic.

“He was a beacon of Qur’anic scholarship and a pillar of the Ilorin community. Wherever he served, he led with a rare blend of vision, integrity, and humility.

“He will be remembered not only for his prolific publications and his foundational work on Sayyid Qutb, but also for his practical commitment to the next generation through the Darul Qalam Science Academy.

“The honor of being named a Fellow of Islamic Studies (NATAIS) in 2024 was a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life harmonizing religious devotion with rigorous intellectual inquiry”, he added.

He prayed that Allah (SWT) grants him Aljannatul Firdaos and make the knowledge he shared, the schools he built, and the students he mentored continue to bear fruit and serve as a light for him.

Similarly, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), expressed shock and profound sadness over the death of the 69-year-old scholar.

In a statement, Prof. Egbewole described him as a hardworking and exemplary academic and administrator who left a lasting mark on the university, Islam, and humanity.

He prayed that Allah overlook his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Al‑Janat Fridaous.

A distinguished academic and seasoned administrator, the late professor served the University of Ilorin in several strategic capacities.

He was widely respected for his leadership and intellectual depth as the Chairman of the Board of the Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies,

The deceased was also known for his strong advocacy on national issues.

He consistently called on Nigerians to work collectively towards national renewal and urged governments at all levels to address the welfare and plight of workers.

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