In the span of two weeks, the Council of Ullama of Ilorin Emirate lost two consequential members. On 19th January 2026, we woke up to the reality that the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Bashir Solihi, had passed away at a time when the community needed his counsel most.
Barely two weeks later, precisely on the 30th of the same month, the Creator called our brother, Prof. Badmus, home. At almost 70 years old, he had touched many lives and made a noticeable impact across all sectors.
Prof. Badmus was a formidable member of the Council of Ullama, empanelled by the Emir of Ilorin, His Eminence, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, serving as an advisory committee to him and vested with the power to resolve religious conflicts and other matters referred to it by the palace.
He was a consistent attendee in the last couple of years when he resumed attending the Council’s meetings. His contributions on the floor of the Council meetings were invaluable. He related well with other members with his usual jokes.
He served as the provost of the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, CAILS, Ilorin. At one point, he held this position concurrently with his membership of the National Hajj Commission.
A trained Islamic scholar, he had the opportunity to serve as the Chair of the State Pilgrim Welfare Board and the rare privilege of serving at the national level. He was a consummate Islamic scholar who had the opportunity to deliver sermons on Islamic matters throughout the country.
As a notable disciple of the Markaz group, he related well with the group’s leadership under Sheikh Habibullahi Adam. He was one of those working hard to resolve issues within the group, even though his allegiance to the group’s leadership was never in doubt.
He held several administrative positions at the University of Ilorin after migrating from the College of Education, Oro, most notably as Dean of the Postgraduate School.
A former Head of the Department of Religions at the same university, he had trained a countless number of students both at the university and his own chain of schools who are excelling in their respective fields across the world.
As a scholar of note, he recognised excellence. He accorded respect to those who, in his judgment, deserved such honour. He was a comrade at a certain point in time during the UNILORIN crisis.
He identified with us during the struggle and even served in the EXCO of ASUU. Given the polarised situation on our campus in 2000, he was one of the candidates on our side of the ASUU divide.
We, however, lost the elections with dignity. Glory be to God for putting that ugly incident at the university behind us, with one ASUU serving the interests of all members.
Consequently, Prof. Badmus was a foremost member of ASUU and the various associations formed by the Ilorin Emirate members of the UNILORIN community. Until his death, he served as the Chair of CAILS, Ilorin.
He was also the Chair of the Hijrah Committee established by the Emir of Ilorin. With his death, we have lost a scholar, a companion, and a comrade. May Allah shower His blessings on him and all those he has left behind.
Hassan A. Saliu
Ilorin, 2nd February, 2026
