The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, has confirmed the commencement of the 2026 Ramadan fasting tomorrow, Wednesday 18th February 2026.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Emir’s Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, the aligning the decision of Alhaji Sulu-Gambari with the position of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR.
This followed the meeting of the Ilorin Emirate Council and the Council of Ulama held at the ancient palace of the Emir of Ilorin.
During the meeting, “His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR had telephone conversations with His Eminence, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abukabar further confirmed that new moon was sighted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as in Nguru Emirate in Yobe State.
At the meeting were; the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, Imam Gambari of Ilorin and other members of the Kwara State Council of Ulama.
Others are; the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Balogun Ajikobi of Ilorin, Baba Isale of Ilorin, Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin, Magajin Ngeri of Ilorin, Galadima of Ilorin, Sarkin Malami of Ilorin and the Makama of Ilorin, among others.
The Imam Imale prayed that Almighty Allah should grant Muslim Ummah across the world the numerous benefits attached to the Ramadan fasting and besieged Allah to ensure the fulfillment of His promises to them all.
In his remarks, the Emir thanked the government and people of Kwara State for ensuring that all villages, towns and cities in the state remain peaceful for economic and social activities to thrive.
He however congratulated the entire Muslim Ummah for witnessing the 2026 Ramadan fasting adding that, “Muslims should observed the fasting in line with the commandment of Almighty Allah (SWT) and urged them to imbibe the spirit of extending hearts of charity to the less privileged throughout the glorious month.
Special prayers was however offered for the repose of the souls of the late Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Ulama, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih OON and the former Dean of Post-Graduate School, University of Ilorin, Professor Yusuf Lanre Badmas who died recently.
