AbdulRazaq, Sultan, Emir, Speaker, Others Pour Tributes On Late Prof Badmas Yusuf

Prominent Nigerians including the governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari and the speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi- Salihu, have paid glowing tributes to the late renowned Islamic scholar, administrator and community leader, Prof. Badmas Olanrewaju Yusuf.

Yusuf, the founder of Hilal Crescent Centre and Chief Imam of Hilal Jummat Mosque, GRA, Ilorin, died on Friday, 30th January , 2026 after a brief illness. His body was flown from Lagos to Ilorin, Kwara State on Friday night and was buried at his Maimasa family residence on Saturday, 31st January, 2026.

The deseased was also the Imam of Maimasa Mosque, chairman, Hijrah Organisation of Nigeria, member of the Kwara State Council of Ulama , dean, Postgraduate School , University of Ilorin and one time national commissioner at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON).

Governor AbdulRazaq was represented at the funeral prayer by a delegation that included the senior adviser/ counselor, Alh Saadu Salahu, ex- non executive director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited ( NNPCL), Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya, special adviser on Special Duties, Alh AbdulRazaq Jiddah, special adviser on Media, Alh Bashir Adigun and the senior special assistant on Religion( Islam), Alh Ibrahim Danmaigoro.

Other dignitaries that attended the prayer are the JAMB’s registrar, Prof. Is- haq Oloyede, vice chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof AbdulWahab Egbewole, the grand Mufty of Ilorin, Sheikh Umar  Faruq Onikijipa, Shaykh Abdulwahab Ajia, the chairman, Governing Council of Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, Prof. Hamzat AbdulRaheem, Prof. Semiu Arikewuyo, and Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN).

Also in attendance were the editor of Blueprint, Alh AbdulRahman AbdulRauf, regional editor, LEADERSHIP, Alh Abdulahi Olesin, chairman, Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Ahmed AbdulLateef, two former chief press secretaries to Kwara Governors – Alh Nurudeen AbdulRaheem and Alh Mas’ud Adebimpe ;  and a host of other journalists.

In a condolence message signed by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, Governor AbdulRazaq said he was  saddened by the death of Professor Yusuf, who the governor described as a renowned Muslim scholar and community leader.

“The governor commiserates with His Royal Highness the Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Kwara State Muslim Stakeholders, Markaz Family, and the immediate family of Prof. Badmus.

“Governor AbdulRazaq says Prof. Badmus left a fine legacy as a prominent scholar and peace advocate with years of positive impact on Kwara State and Ilorin in particular.

“He prays to Allaah to be merciful to Prof. Yusuf Lanre Badmus, admit him to al-jannah Firdaus, and preserve his family upon goodness,” the statement added.

The Sultan of Sokoto and president general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alh Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar,  expressed deep sorrow over the death of  Professor Yusuf.

In a condolence message, the Sultan of Sokoto  described Yusuf 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 Yusuf represented a significant blow to Islamic jurisprudence and scholarship in the country.

The Sultan offered prayers for the repose of the deceased, asking Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him admission into Al-Jannah Firdaus.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari also expressed sadness over the demise of Yusuf.

Sulu-Gambari, in a condolence message issued by his press secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, described  Badmas as a world-class scholar and Islamic cleric with significant impacts to the Ilorin Emirate and beyond.

Among other notable engagements, the deseased was the Imam of Maimasa Mosque, Chief Imam of Hilal Crescent Islamic Centre, chairman, Hijrah Organisation of Nigeria, member of the Kwara State Council of Ulama , dean, School of Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin and one time commissioner at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON).

The Emir  commiserated with the deceased’s immediate and extended family members, the entire members of Isale Gambari, friends, associates and the entire University of Ilorin Community over the great loss.

The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi- Salihu said he received the news of the death of Yusuf with a heavy heart.

In a condolence message he personally signed , the speaker said Yusuf was far more than an academic, adding that he was a beacon of Qur’anic scholarship and a pillar of the Ilorin community.

“Whether serving as Provost, College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies; the Dean of the Postgraduate School, University of Ilorin; or as a Federal Commissioner for NAHCON, he led with a rare blend of vision, integrity, and humility.

His contributions to the “Science of the Qur’an” provided clarity and depth to Islamic studies in Nigeria. I had the rare honor and privilege to receive him, as the Chairman, Hijrah Committee, and members in my office.

“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.

I pray that Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy, grants Professor Yusuf Aljannatul Firdaos. May his many “Sadaqah Jariyah” the knowledge he shared, the schools he built, and the students he mentored continue to bear fruit and serve as a light for him,” the speaker said.

In a special tribute titled:” Remembering Prof. Yusuf Lanre Badmus ” , the president of the Nigeria Political Scientists Association (NPSA), Prof. Hassan Saliu said:” At almost 70 years old, he ( Prof. Badmas) 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.”

At the fidau prayer held for Yusuf at the Ilorin Jummat Central Mosque on Monday, February 2,2026, Governor, AbdulRazaq led the pack of dignitaries that attended the fidau prayer for the repose of the soul of  Yusuf.

The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi- Salihu was also in attendance.

The governor was represented by a high – powered delegation led by his senior adviser/ counselor, Alh Saadu Salahu who was supported by special adviser , Special Duties, Alh AbdulRazaq Jiddah and senior special assistant on Religion ( Islam), Alh Ibrahim Danmaigoro.

Other dignitaries at the fidau prayer included two former Grand Kadi of Kwara State- Justices Idris Haroon and AbdulKadir  Ola, Justice Tunde Garba(rtd), Prof. Yusuf Ali(SAN), the vice chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete( KWASU), Prof.  Shaykh Lukman- Jimoh, vice chancellor , Al- Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof AbdulLateef  Oladimeji  and vice chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulWahab Egbewole.

Others are Prof AbdulSalam, Prof Hamzat AbdulRaheem, chairman , Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Prof. Mashood Jimba, director general of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies( MINILS), Ilorin, Comrade Issa Aremu, Dr Funsho AbdulRazaq, former vice chancellor of KWASU, Prof. AbdulRasheed  Na’Allah,chairman, Governing Council of KWASU, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali and president general of Gamji Association of Nigeria (GAMA), Alh Mohammed Tunde Akanbi.

The Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alh Abdullahi AbdulHamid who led the fidau prayer, reminded Muslims of the inevitability of death.

He said death will come only at its appointed time and unexpected, counseling that: ” Therefore, we should do only good deeds at all times. ”

He extolled  Badmas virtues of devotion to religious duties, humility, simplicity and selfless service to the society.

Imam AbdulHamid thanked Allah for granted  Badmas  a life well spent and prayed to Allah  to grant him A-ljana Firdaus.

In a brief sermon, the grand Mukadam of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Dan- Borno, described Badmas as a trustworthy personality who never betrayed any trust reposed in him during his lifetime.

He enjoined Muslims to emulate the exemplary conduct of  Badmas by being upright in all their endeavours, reminding them that death would overtake every soul at the appointed time.

The second lecturer, Prof. AbdulKadir Sambaki who described Badmas as a unique scholar said Ilorin Emirate had lost one of its stars and finest scholars .

Prominent associations and professional bodies that paid tribute to Yusuf include the Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Muslims Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), Gamji Members Association (GAMA), Hijrah Organisation of Nigeria, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union( IEDPU), National Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies(NATAIS),National Women Journalists Association ( NAWOJ) and the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria ( FOMWAN).