By Akonasu GBEDOZIN Sultan of Sokoto and Prof. Oloyede The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islam...
By Akonasu GBEDOZIN
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| Sultan of Sokoto and Prof. Oloyede |
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has honoured three distinguished members of the Muslim Ummah, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, Professor Muhib Opeloye and Alhaji Kunle Sanni, for their outstanding contributions to national development and the advancement of Islam in Nigeria.
Details of this are contained in a statement signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto and dated Friday September 25, 2026.
The Sultan’s recognition followed a review of the careers, accomplishments and years of dedicated service of the three eminent Nigerians, highlighting their contributions to education, public service, interfaith relations and the development of the Muslim community.
The review was undertaken by the Sultan’s Media Team, comprising representatives from the six geopolitical zones of the country. It provided an opportunity to recognise Professor Is-haq Oloyede for his distinguished contributions to the education sector, as well as his sustained service to the Muslim Ummah and the nation.
Professor Oloyede was particularly recognised for his distinguished tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, his service as Chairman of the International Association of Vice-Chancellors of Universities, and his decade-long stewardship as Registrar/Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The Sultan also acknowledged Professor Oloyede’s continued service to the Muslim Ummah as Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), where he has played a significant role in advancing Islamic affairs and contributing to national development.
The gathering also celebrated Professor Muhib Opeloye following his recent appointment as Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), recognising the wealth of scholarship, public service and interfaith experience he brings to the important national platform.
Professor Opeloye, a distinguished scholar and Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), previously served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Osun State during the administration of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. He served in the position for more than four years.
The Sultan noted that Professor Opeloye’s appointment to NIREC comes with considerable experience in scholarship, public service and interfaith engagement, which is expected to contribute to the Council’s mandate of promoting peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding and national unity. Also honoured was Alhaji Kunle Sanni, who was recognised for his leadership and service as Chairman of the Muslim Council of Oyo State.
Alhaji Sanni has also served the Muslim youth constituency for many years as President of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), where he contributed to the mobilisation and development of Muslim youths, as well as the promotion of peaceful coexistence. He is also a member of the Sultan Forum and the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
The Sultan expressed appreciation to the three distinguished Nigerians for their years of dedicated service, stressing that the contributions of individuals who devote themselves to the advancement of society, the Muslim Ummah and the nation deserve recognition, commendation and prayers for continued success.
The recognition, coming from the leadership of Nigeria’s Muslim Ummah, underscores the Sultan’s commitment to acknowledging and encouraging Nigerians who have distinguished themselves through scholarship, public service, interfaith engagement and contributions to the development of the Muslim Ummah and the nation.
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