Renowned Islamic Scholar, Prof. Badmus Yusuf, Dies, Buried

Prominent Nigerians, including the representatives of the governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Saturday, attended the funeral prayer and burial of the former dean of School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Ilorin, Prof. Badmus Yusuf.

Yusuf, the founder of Hilal Crescent Centre and Chief Imam of Hilal Jummat Mosque, GRA, Ilorin, died on Friday after a brief illness. His body was flown from Lagos to Ilorin, Kwara State on Friday night.

The funeral prayer, held at Yusuf’s Maimasa family residence, Ojagboro, Ilorin, was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi AbdulHamid, who was supported by other prominent Imams and Alfas.

Governor AbdulRazaq was represented at the prayer by a delegation that includes 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 funeral were 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).

In a condolence message, the Emir of Ilorin, Alh. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed sadness over the demise of Prof. Yusuf.

Sulu-Gambari, in the message issued by his press secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, described Badmus 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 Organization of Nigeria and member of the Kwara State Council of Ulama.

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.

​” he honour 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.