Varsity Don Takes Ilorin Arabic Literary Tradition To Germany

Deputy vice-chancellor (Administration) of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Prof. Moshood Jimba, has taken the country’s rich Islamic and literary heritage to the global stage, presenting a scholarly paper at a German university on the enduring relevance of Arabic writings in the Ilorin Emirate.

Jimba delivered the paper titled “Arabic Letters in Ilorin Emirate: An Introspection to Alfa Jetemiodara’s Family Archives” at the library of the Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.

The presentation, which attracted academics and researchers in Arabic and Islamic studies, examined the historical evolution, structure, and cultural significance of Arabic epistolary traditions in Ilorin, widely regarded as a major centre of Islamic scholarship in Nigeria.

Drawing from archival materials, the paper traced how the introduction of Islam to Yorubaland in the 17th century brought with it Arabic literacy, gradually replacing indigenous symbolic communication systems such as ‘Aroko’ .

Jimba highlighted the role of Ajami, the adaptation of Arabic script for local languages in documenting history, medicine, and personal correspondence across communities in Ilorin Emirate.

Central to the presentation was the extensive archive of the Jetemiodara family, which preserves over 300 Arabic manuscripts, including personal and official letters that provide insight into social relations, scholarly exchanges, and linguistic patterns of the time.

According to the scholar, the letters revealed that most correspondence within the archive focused on personal matters such as family affairs, prayers, and community relations, while also reflecting distinct stylistic conventions rooted in Islamic tradition.

He explained that the structure of the letters typically begins with religious invocations and followed established rhetorical patterns before transitioning into the main message, underscoring the fusion of faith and communication in traditional scholarship.

The paper also examined linguistic features of the writings, noting the influence of Yoruba language structures on Arabic expression, as well as the absence of punctuation and standardised script styles among many Ilorin scholars of the period.

Jimba situates Ilorin as a historical intellectual hub, often described as a “Mini Makkah,” where Arabic and Islamic education have flourished for over two centuries, producing renowned scholars and manuscripts that continue to shape religious and academic discourse in Nigeria.

He noted that the Jetemiodara archive, which he and his research team digitised with support from the British Library’s Endangered Archives Programme in 2018, represents a critical resource for preserving Nigeria’s intellectual history and expanding global understanding of African contributions to Arabic scholarship.

The presentation is seen as part of growing efforts by Nigerian scholars to project indigenous knowledge systems onto international platforms, reinforcing the country’s role in the global exchange of ideas within Islamic and African studies.

Two other scholars of Ilorin origin who participated in the workshop were Prof. Khalil  Gbodofu who presented a paper titled “From the Nigeria Arabic Manuscripts in Ilorin Emirate: An Analytical Study,” and Dr. Abdur-Rasheed Mahmoud , whose paper is titled “Unveiling the Medical Legacy of Okelele, Ilorin: Ancient Scholars’ Contributions to Orthodox Medicine in Arabic Manuscripts”.