Prof. Suliaman Felicitates Sheikh Sholagberu on turbaning

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, has congratulated Sheikh Abdulkadir Sholagberu on his turbaning as the first Malami Ubandoma of the Ilorin Emirate, describing the honour as historic and well-deserved.

In a congratulatory message on Saturday, January 3, 2026, and issued by his Media Adviser, Mohammad Abdulkadri, Prof. Sulaiman said the conferment of the religious title by the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, marked a watershed moment in the rich Islamic and intellectual history of Ilorin.

He described Sheikh Sholagberu as an erudite Islamic scholar whose turbaning has set a new record in the ancient city, long regarded as a centre of Islamic scholarship and Qur’anic learning.

According to the NILDS DG, the recognition is a testament to Sheikh Sholagberu’s outstanding scholarship, leadership qualities and intellectual depth, as well as his pedigree as the founder of the prestigious Dharul-Iqtab Arabic and Islamic Academy and his role as one of the prominent Imams of the National Mosque, Abuja.

Prof. Sulaiman, a former Minister of National Planning and a respected community leader in Ilorin, prayed Almighty Allah to bless the turban of Malami Ubandoma, describing the honour as a call to higher responsibility.

“It is a clarion call for greater service, sacrifice and deeper commitment to the upliftment of Islam, Ilorin and humanity at large,” he said.

He further admonished the newly turbaned Malami Ubandoma, whom he described as a beloved brother and friend, to uphold the responsibilities that come with the honour, noting that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

Prof. Sulaiman wished Sheikh Sholagberu God’s guidance and strength in the discharge of his new responsibilities.