Mission and History

Our History

The existence of the geographical space called Ilorin predated the 19^th century. However, the arrival and settlement of Sheikh Salih Ibn Janta, popularly referred to as Shehu Alimi, brought about the establishment of the Ilorin Emirate, with unprecedented fame and popularity across the various regions, which form what is today called Nigeria and even beyond. Shehu Alimi was a great scholar, teacher and friend of the down-trodden and a spiritual counselor to all and sundry both within and outside Yoruba land of his time. Therefore, the recognition of his spiritual and intellectual supremacy made the populace, who trouped to him to accept his spiritual leadership and the subsequent political leadership of his descendants.

What is however important and significant here is that, in the early years of the 19th century, Ilorin Emirate no doubt was part and parcel of the Sokoto Caliphate and had a lot in common with other emirates, yet had a lot of uniqueness and peculiarities which make it stands out among other emirates. One of the most unique and enviable features of the Ilorin Emirate is its multi-ethnic composition which is reflective in its settlement and leadership patterns, all of whom are under the umbrella of the Amir al-Mu’minin. The first emir, Shehu Abdul-Salam fondly called “Oba Digi Aye” laid a solid foundation for a strong and all inclusive administrative system as it appears in the administrative council of the Ilorin Emirate. The inclusion and involvement of every ethnic and tribal group in Ilorin, the appointment of heads from among the various groups in all the quarters, settlements and wards in both political and religious activities of the emirate lend credence to the all-inclusiveness. Here are the profiles of the members of the Ilorin Emirate Council as it stands today. It is important to note that, the Council of Kingmakers of Ilorin comprised seven members.
They are the Magajin Gari, Balogun Gambari, Balogun Ajikobi, Balogun Fulani, Balogun Alanamu, Magaji Aare and the Chief Imam (Imam Fulani popularly referred to as Imam Agba)

Emir Of Ilorin

The Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, is the 11″Emir of Ilorin. He ascended the throne in 1995. Like most of his colleagues in other emirates, he held the influential title of Ciroma before he became the Emir. He is the son of the 9 Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammad Zulukarnain Gambari, CFR, maternal grandson to the 8″ Emir, Sheikh Abdulkadir Shuaib Bawa, CBE, and a great-grandson to the 7″ Emir, Shuaib Bawa (r. 1915-1919), through the line of Zubair Aiyelabowo III.

Emirs Of Ilorin

A list of Emirs of Ilorin till date

1816 -1842

Oba Abdulsalami bin Shehu Alimi

1842 - 1860

Muhammad Shitta bin Shehu Alimi

1860 - 1868

Zubair bin Abdul-Salami

1868 - 1891

Alliyu bin Muhammad Shita

1891 - 1895

Abdul-Salami Mamaloso bin Zubair

1895 - 1915

Sulyman bin Alliyu, founder of Fa’agba

1915 - 1919

Shuaib Bawa bin Zubair

1919 - 1959

Abdul-Kadir bin Shuaib

1959 - 1992

Zulukarnain bin Muhammad Laofe

1992 - 1995

Alliyu bin Abdul-Kadir

1995 - Date

Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR