Deapartment of History and Diplomatic Studies

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A Historical Overview of Islam and Islamic Scholarship in Ali-Agan Quarters in Ilorin
(Centre for Ilorin Studies (CILS), University of Ilorin, Nigeria, 2015) Eliasu Yahaya
From 1000AD, it was not unlikely that Islam had started to find its bearing out of Arabia which was its main origin. In addition, it was this time or thereafter that we could mention Islam Per se in Africa. But prior to this time, West African communities were ardent worshippers of gods and goddesses, animate and inanimate objects such as moon, stars, trees and so on. It must be pointed out that prior to the coming of Islam, West African communities had strong traditional background and were involved in the worship of deities. It was this situation that Islam later encountered in West Africa. By 722AD, there was a resurgence in Arabia. This resurgence culminated into the dispersal of many Arabs outside Arabia. Around 7th century, the Arabs had settled amongst the African communities and at the same time Islam was making its ways into North Africa. Islamic culture and traditional cultures created inter-group conflicts among the Muslim Arabs and the Berber settlers of North Africa. After sometime, the Arabs were able to establish themselves strongly in North Africa which resulted into exposing the Mediterranean region of North Africa which included places such as Libya and Morocco to Islamic faith. However, available evidences seem to suggest that Islam was known amongst the West Africa communities which antedated the time of the arrival of Arabs of North Africa.
Aare-Ona-Kakanfo Afonja, c.1796-c.1824: An Interrogation of the Historiography of a Critical Chapter of Ilorin History
(African Studies and Research Forum, 2024) Salihu, Ismail Otukoko
Various studies have examined the transformation of Ilorin from an insignificant settlement in the 1790s to an emirate of the Sokoto Caliphate by the mid-1820s. The role played by key actors like Afonja, a Yoruba generalissimo, Solagberu, a Kanuri scholar-warrior-chief, and Alimi, a Fulani cleric, among others, has also received scholarly attention. In spite of the centrality of Afonja to the unfolding of the events that characterised the transformation, certain aspects of his era and career have remained inadequately interrogated and analysed in extant literature. This paper interrogates some themes related to Afonja’s era in the history of Ilorin. The paper adopts the interpretive approach of the historical methodology, which relies on the use and interpretation of qualitative data from primary and secondary sources. The data used for the study include archival materials such as petitions, memoranda, Gazetteers, and unpublished manuscripts, newspapers, autobiography, books, journal articles, and theses. The paper further adopted a thematic analytical framework to subject the information from various sources to historical analysis and interpretation. It argues that, as a major catalyst for the events that culminated in the rise of Ilorin emirate by c.1825, and final collapse of the Old Oyo Empire by c.1835, Afonja’s era in Ilorin lasted longer than often suggested in several works and, requires a proper chronology and analysis of the events associated with it and rationale for his actions and inactions. The paper also highlights the need for adequate incorporation of local and other neglected sources in examination of Afonja’s era. Keywords: Ilorin, History, Transformation, Historiography, Chronology
Bridget Aisha Lemu and Her Contributions to Islamic Scholarship in Nigeria, 1940-2019.
(Centre for Research, Industrial Linkage and International Cooperation, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, 2025-12-01) Eliasu Yahaya
Women through passage of time have been part of successes of Islamic scholarship in Nigeria. It is noteworthy to state that Nana Asma, the daughter of the 1804 Jihad has a strong background in Islamic scholarship. She was poetess of reputation. Thus, this paper examines the place of Aisha Lemu in the development of Islamic in Nigeria, 1940 – 2019. These areas seem to have been neglected by scholars. But her giant stride and massive publications in the realm of Islamic scholarship cannot be undermined. She did well not only to promote Islamic ideals through her scholarship expositions but also brought closer the true understanding of Islam and its teachings. It is against this background that we explored some of her tremendous achievement that perhaps had not been hitherto properly recorded. We relied on some comment in the Guardian news and secondary works. Our tentative results are that the scholar under consideration had authored more than thirty books in different sphere of Islamic studies in Nigeria. This informs the present effort to look into various works of the writer. We realized that the work of the scholar under consideration are very many. As such, a few of her efforts as this present paper, space, and other considerations would permit have to be examined. Thus, the development of Islamic scholarship, 1940 to 2019 cannot be over emphasized. Bridget Aisha Lemu was a famous scholar and very experienced educator. She was deeply involved in her effort to conceptualize and develop Islamic scholarship at different levels of educational systems in Nigeria. Keywords: Islamic, Scholarship, Prolific, Convertee, Milestone, Achievement, Massive intellectualism.
British Colonial Administration and Development of Western Education in Ilorin Emirate, 1900-1960
(Palgrave Macmillan, 2022) Eliasu Yahaya
As early as November, 1901, Lugard had mentioned that the main aim of his education was to his education was to emphasize Islamic basis of the traditional emirate system which he deemed important in the administration of the Northern territory. Not only that, he was interested in protecting the north from the alleged corrupting activities of the Western-educated natives of both Lagos colony and Southern Nigeria in general. The Lugard policy of education in Northern Nigeria created a gap between Muslim Emirates and their non-Muslim counterpart from the South. As a matter of fact, in the administrative territory called Northern Nigerian protectorate, Lugard was armed with is sectional tendencies and attempted to separate education for the so-called Muslims and the so-called pagan sectors of the population. Whatever the shortcomings that may be attributable to this system, the colonial government played a positive role in the development of Western education in Ilorin emirate. Thus, this chapter examines the role of the colonial administration in the development of Western education in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria from 1900 to 1960. This period was selected because of the colonial government that superintended over the affairs of Nigeria at the time.
Christian Churches in Ilorin, Nigeria: A Brief Historical Survey
(2004-04) Eliasu Yahaya
The paper provides a brief historical survey of the establishment of Christian churches in the state of Ilorin, Nigeria. After examining the early resistance to the spread of Christianity in Nigeria, the paper reviews the history of the first and second generations of churches in Nigeria. The paper then surveys the social impact of church and mission in Ilorin, including the religious and educational aspects all of which contributed to the improvement of the educational standards in Nigeria, even among the Muslim schools. The paper concludes that most of the innovative and positive ideas introduced through the church schools were readily adopted by the Muslim schools, once they saw the advantages that were to be derived from them.
Contributions of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria towards the Development of Islamiyah and Western Education in Northern Nigeria, 1942-2002.
(Department of Religions and Peace Studies, Lagos State University, Ojo., 2020-10) Eliasu Yahaya
This study examines the contribution of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria towards the development of Islamiyyah and western education in Northern Nigeria, 1942 – 2002. The study shows that it was the first voluntary agency to introduce a paradigm shift in the educational system of Northern Nigeria. However, scholars are yet to do a comprehensive study of how Ansarul Islam Society combined western education with Islamic education. But in order to perform this study, a closer investigation into the genesis of Ansarul Islam is carried out with the collaboration of stake holders of the society. Consequently, this study makes use of primary and secondary sources of historical materials and suggests that more work needs to be done on the contribution of Ansarul Islam Society in the areas of Islamic Propagation (dawah) and development of mosques. Thus, the place of Ansarul Islam Society in the development of Islamiyyah and western education in northern Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Keyword: Ansarul Islam, Society, Western Education, Reforms, Islamiyyah schools.
Evaluation of the Euro-Centric Views of African History.
(Department of History, Kaduna State University., 2017) Eliasu Yahaya
Some European writers who have tried to write the history of Africa’s past have done it with some sort of subjectivity and ridicule and this affected Africa’s civilizations as anything good in Africa was perceived as belonging to external influences. This posture was extended to the domain of writing as there were various views expressed to downplay the role of Africa in the development of History. Thus, this paper attempts the evaluation of the Euro-centric views of African history. This area has been neglected by researchers and scholars. This writer made use of both primary and secondary sources to strengthen the basis of his argument to write and evaluate the present work. It must be stated that, before the coming of colonialism into Africa, African historiography and indeed its historical activities over the ages was not wholesomely out of documentation and more importantly written history. This had been exemplified by the Islamic and Arabic scholars and in particular, many Arab travellers account within and around Africa, whose works have resulted into history of Africa and its activities exemplified by such Islamic and Arabic scholars. Thus, African historiography was rich with the availability of oral tradition in the Horn or North Africa, East Africa and where some oral traditions were written in Arabic before the coming of the acclaimed colonial masters into the African scene.
Folk Songs as Sources of History: An Analysis of Alhaji Odolaye Aremu’s Ilorin Dadakuada Music
(VUNA Journal of History and International Relations, 2023-01) Salihu, Ismail Otukoko
In their endeavors to reconstruct and interpret the past, historians make use of various sources including oral, written, and material evidence. Over the years, they have had to rely on oral literature in order to understand and reconstruct events, particularly in non-literate societies where the art of writing developed very late. Such forms of oral literature as songs (Orin), proverbs (Owe), praise-names (Oriki) and poems (Arofọ) have, therefore, become part and parcel of traditional sources of history. These “oral and recitative” forms have been described as “a chief characteristic” of traditional history among the Yoruba. Hence, palace drummers and ballad singers were among the ‘professional oral historians’ used in traditional Yoruba society to ‘record’, ‘recite’, ‘preserve’ and transmit ‘history’ from generation to generation. Odolaye Aremu’s Dadakuada song (Orin) is one form of folk music that combines various forms of Yoruba oral literature (Oriki, Owe, Arofọ, etc.) With these forms, Odolaye did not only entertain and praise but also informs about past and contemporary events. Thus, issues in socio-economic and political life of the society are regularly subjects of Aremu’s folk music. At both individual and societal levels, therefore, Odolaye’s songs contain historical information that is of importance in writing biography as well as aspects of socio-economic and political history. This paper seeks to identify, analyze, and draw attention to some of the historical values of the songs of the Dadakuada legend, late Alhaji Muhammed Odolaye Aremu.
From Traditionalism to Democratic Radicalism: A Re-examination of the Ilorin Talaka Parapo Phenomenon, 1954-1958
(Department of History and International Studies, Kogi State University, Anyigba, 2012) Salihu, Ismail Otukoko
The period of decolonization in Nigeria (1950-1960) was characterized by diverse struggles at various levels. Among the most noticeable developments during the decade are party politics, electoral, political and other forms of struggle for power as well as separatist and minority agitations. Within the defunct Northern Region, the Ilorin emirate was the first to experiment with democratic local government. It therefore had its own fair share of the emergent contestations. In Ilorin town, the headquarters of the Ilorin Emirate, the unfolding of the events associated with the emergent struggles revolved around the colonial reforms aimed at democratizing the local government, which started in the early 1950s. The reforms resulted in a struggle for the control of Ilorin between the hitherto privileged traditional ruling class and the underprivileged class of commoners. Within a period of five years, Ilorin was shaken to its very foundations by the phenomenal rise and fall of a commoners’ movement known as the Ilorin Talaka Parapo (ITP)—a movement that emerged as a champion of “tradition” but ended up as a major “enemy” of Ilorin traditional institutions and their interests. In view of the confusing signals given out by the ITP at its inception coupled with Ilorin’s peculiar circumstance both as a border territory between the North and South of Nigeria and as the only “Fulani Emirate” in Yoruba land, the ethnic conflict framework has dominated analysis of the rise and transformation of the Ilorin Commoners’ movement. Such framework, however, ignores the multiethnic composition of Ilorin town itself and of the membership of the Ilorin Talaka Parapo.
Historical Development of Mosques in Ilorin Emirate, 1823-1992.
(College of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete., 2018) Eliasu Yahaya
The word, mosque or Masjid, occupies a significant place in the spiritual minds of the generality of Muslims. It has been stated that prayers are uniquely and strongly recommended to be offered in a Mosque as part of Ibadah for the Muslims. Mosques are places where Muslims congregate to know each other better and to form a solid community through religious interaction. In addition, praying at mosques in congregation promotes and teaches unit among the people as well as serves as meeting places where various problems are identified with a view to finding solutions to them. It is against this background that this paper chronicles the historical evolution of mosques in Ilorin, investigates their structural developments and examines their functions and challenges within the context of socio-economic, political and religious perspectives. The paper finds, among others, that appointment of Imam has become hereditary rather than eligibility on the basis of merit. In view of this, the paper suggests consideration of merit in the appointment of Imam of mosques. This will ensure Islamic activities in the Ilorin Emirate are commensurate with modern Islamic trends. Keywords: Afonja; Chief Imams of Ilorin; Emirs of Ilorin; Ilorin Emirate; Shaykh Alimi.
History of Islam and Islamic Education in Northern Nigeria up to 1909.
(Centre for Research, Industrial Linkage and International Cooperation, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, 2025-12) Eliasu Yahaya
This paper examines the historical development of Islam in Nigeria, highlighting the significant roles played by Islamic scholars, traders, and merchants in its spread, particularly to Northern Nigeria up to 1909. Through their sustained efforts, Islam became deeply rooted in the social, cultural, and intellectual life of the region, with scholars serving as key agents in the transmission of religious knowledge and values. Given that Islam places strong emphasis on education, the study also explores the concept and dimensions of Islamic education. It provides a critical analysis of its underlying principles, including its aims, purpose, and nature. Islamic education is presented not only as a means of acquiring knowledge but also as a system for moral and spiritual development, aimed at shaping individuals who can contribute meaningfully to society. Furthermore, the paper investigates the major factors that influenced the development of Islamic education in Northern Nigeria prior to 1909. Particular attention is given to the challenges and transformations that occurred with the introduction of Western education by Christian missionaries and colonial authorities. This period marked a significant shift in the educational landscape, creating tensions as well as interactions between the two systems of education. Despite its importance, this area of study has received limited attention in existing scholarship. Therefore, this paper seeks to fill this gap by drawing on both primary and secondary sources to present a comprehensive account of the evolution of Islam and Islamic education in Northern Nigeria. In doing so, it contributes to a better understanding of the historical foundations and development of education in the region. Keywords: Northern Nigeria, Islam, Islamic Scholars, Christian Missions and Western Education.
History The International Boundaries of Nigeria, 1885-1960: The Framework of an Emergent African Nation
(The Journal of African Studies and Research Forum, 2025-12-02) Hadizat Audu Salihu
Joseph Christopher Okwudi Anene is the author of The International Boundaries of Nigeria, 1885-1960: The Framework of an Emergent African Nation. Anene was born at Onitsha, Nigeria in 1921 and attended a Roman Catholic School called Christ the King College where he became a teacher after graduation. He studied for an external degree in History offered by the University of London; in 1948, he got a local trader to sponsor him to go to the University College of Cork where he received the Bachelor of Arts degree of the University of London in the Upper Division with Second Class (Anene, 1970). Anene did a postgraduate degree in London from 1949 to 1952 and was awarded the Master of Arts degree for a thesis titled ‘The Establishment of British Rule in Southern Nigeria, 1885-1906” Following the degree with a Diploma in Education, he went to teach at the Ibadan branch of the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology from 1954 to 1956 before moving to the University of Ibadan. His basic training was in Imperial History. For most of his teaching career, he taught courses in British Colonial History and the Growth of the British Commonwealth that were under the scheme of the special relationship with the University of London, which constituted a third of the History Honors Courses at Ibadan until 1962 when he gradually made the transition to African History that became a significant part of the History of Historiography in West Africa scheme (Anene, 1970). Anene’s book being reviewed here was based on his Philosophy Doctorate thesis approved by the University of London in 1960. His contribution to historical scholarship went beyond his research and publications. He was a stimulating and methodical teacher who meticulously revised his notes every year. He particularly encouraged better teaching in schools of History in general and African History in particular. Before his death, he was a senior member and later Head of the Department of History. He was also an important architect of the new Ibadan Bachelor of Arts degree structure and of the postgraduate school in History which has produced many Nigerian teachers of History (Anene, 1970).
Ilorin and the Laderin Heritage: A Comparative Analysis of Some External and Internal Creations of Ilorin’s Past
(Department of History and International Relations, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, 2014-12) Salihu, Ismail Otukoko
Ilorin has been a coveted and contested polity. Indeed, contestation over Ilorin remains a phenomenon that continues to attract attention of all and sundry. Between c.1824 and 1836, the Old Oyo Yoruba violently, albeit abortively, contested the “Fulani” control over Ilorin—a contestation that ended in the military defeat and final collapse of Yoruba Empire. The central role, which Ilorin played in the collapse of Old Oyo and the 19th c. Yoruba civil wars, is identified as a major influence on early local writers of Yoruba and Ilorin history like Samuel Johnson and Samuel Ojo. It is also one of the main reasons for Yoruba irredentism and contest for Ilorin, which have continued until recent times and culminated in abortive attempts by the pan-Yoruba political party, the Action Group and its ally, the Ilorin Talaka Parapo, to transfer Ilorin to the Western Region in the 1950s. Recently, similar contestations culminated in abortive moves for “a Yoruba Oba” (so-called “Onilorin”) of Ilorin. A major feature of nearly all forms of contestation over Ilorin is the recourse to its early “history” and the tendency of contestants and commentators to explore new battle grounds and tactics including the print and electronic media—newspapers, leaflets, home videos and the internet. In all these, the traditional accounts of early Ilorin, especially those based on external sources have been central to such controversies as the so-called “Ilorin’s crisis of identity” and what is here termed “Laderin Heritage” created and imposed on Ilorin by Reverend Samuel Johnson.
Ilorin Emirate: Some Aspects of the Consolidation, Socio-political and Cultural Integration of a Multi-ethnic Community
(Dar Al-Fikr Al-Arabi, Cairo, Egypt, 2019) Salihu, Ismail Otukoko; Jimba, M. M.
Ilorin Potsherd Pavements and the Reconstruction of the Culture History of a Frontier City: The Historical Significance of some Neglected Artifacts. West African Journal of Archaeology (WAJA), 44(2): 21-52
(West African Archaeological Association, 2014) Salihu, Ismail Otukoko
Ilorin history, including its cultural history, has relied primarily on oral and written accounts, which are limited in exploring the history of Ilorin before the mid-18th century. Yet, Ilorin is believed to have been founded between the 15th and 16th centuries and to have developed into ‘a very important centre in northern Yoruba land many centuries before 1800’. In view of the limitations of oral and written sources in providing information on pre-19th century Ilorin, series of archaeological reconnaissance surveys were carried out in the city over the last ten years. These efforts have yielded a lot of cultural entities including potsherd pavements, pottery, grinding hollows, and bones in some parts of Ilorin. The potsherd pavements in particular are stylistically in herringbone pattern. These bear striking resemblance to the potsherd pavements of Daima, Lake Chad area, Kabrais districts in Togo, Nupe, Ikeja, Ile-Ife, Wushishi in the Kaduna Valley, and Ibadan among others. Based on the range of potsherds and potsherd pavements recently discovered, this paper, therefore, examines the historical significance of the artifacts with a view to throwing light on the material culture history of Ilorin. The paper argues that the material finds are capable of shedding more light on pre-18th century cultural history of Ilorin, and thus calls for the protection of these materials as they are endangered by human activities and other natural phenomena.
Ilorin: An Introduction to its History and Tradition of Islamic Scholarship
(Kwara State University Press, Ilorin, 2019) Salihu, Ismail Otukoko
Key Issues in the Anglo-Christian Missions Relations in Northern Nigeria during the Colonial Period, 1842 - 1914.
(Department of Religion and Philosophy, University of Jos., 2021) Eliasu Yahaya
This paper takes an overview of the British relationship with the Christian missions. The Christian missions were the first to arrive Nigeria as the torchbearers of Christianity. It has been argued that they were the pathfinders to the British endeavor in Nigeria. Ironically, the British colonial administration had put the clergymen under checks and balances so much so that we would have thought the two acclaimed civilizing missions had common goals. This effect perhaps led to a hindrance to the Christian missions as the British imperialism denied them to a large extent the ample opportunity to proselytize. This overlapping interests brought about mutual suspicion although Lugard mentioned that the indirect rule represented the most Christian territory of the world. Thus, in carrying out this work, the writer makes use of both the primary and secondary sources of historical materials and hopes that more works would be done in the noble objectives of the Christian Missions evangelism in Northern Nigeria.
Kundi Subculture in the Islamic Scholarship of Ilorin Emirate: A Historical Perspective.
(Kwara State University Press, Ilorin, 2025) Salihu, Ismail Otukoko
The production, preservation and transmission of knowledge and practices relating to such phenomena as the production of “medicines” and provision of health services are universal cultural traditions. Among Muslims, such phenomena dated back to the early period of Islam and have survived up to recent times. Among Nigerian Muslims, Kundi culture relates to aspect of knowledge production and preservation, and provision of remedies to health and other conditions. It specifically relates to the production and transmission of Arabic/Ajami manuscripts dealing with information on various aspects of the Muslim’s everyday life including solutions to various human problems. Thus, Kundi represents an individual Muslim’s or family manuscript repository for both the widely acknowledged ‘efficacious Muslim charms’, ‘amulets’, ‘magical therapeutic recipes’, and ‘medicinal prescriptions’, and prayer texts for supplications. Popularly known as “Nakali” or “Asiri” among the Ilorins, Kundi is also an important source of traditional African herbal/medicinal solutions preserved in Islamic/Arabic modes. This paper examines the Kundi culture in Ilorin—a Muslim community which dynamic tradition of Islamic scholarship derived from various Islamic traditions and its multi-ethnic configuration. As a widely acknowledged regional centre of Islamic learning and Arabic manuscripts production in Nigeria, Ilorin’s Kundi reflects the important role, which Ilorin played in indigenous knowledge production, transmission and preservation. As parts of its Arabic/Ajami manuscripts production, Kundi also reflects both Islamic/Muslim and indigenous herbal medicines and solutions and thus provides a veritable source for a study of the documentation of knowledge on both the Islamic/Muslim and traditional African herbal remedies to problems. Keywords: Kundi, Nakali, Manuscripts, Culture, Knowledge Production, Documentation
Migration, Settlement Pattern and Transformation in Ilorin in Ilorin History.
(Fig & Olive Ltd., Abuja, 2015) Salihu, Ismail Otukoko
Military Intervention in African Politics after Independence.
(Department of History, Kaduna State University., 2020) Eliasu Yahaya
The aim of this work is to look into the issues of military intervention in African Politics after independence. This area of study has been overlooked by scholars, while looking into other areas of governance in Africa. Thus, the history of Egyptian military imbroglio marked the beginning of the overthrow of monarchy in 1952 in Africa. This development was followed through the wrestles and seizure of political power championed by the Sudanese Armed Forces in 1958. The Sudanese episode marked the beginning and popularity of coups in Africa. This was at least the popular and change of regime within the African context. The arrival of events that led to military intervention in the sub-Saharan African was further popularized thorough the Congolese “Force Publique” mutiny of 1962. Consequently, the takeover of the Togolese Armed Forces of President Olympio’s regime in 1962 brought about the period of military rule around the West African Sub-region. In the preponderance states of Africa, the colonial masters seemed to have handed over the baton of power to democratically elected civilian administrations. But just within the period of ten years majority of African States had experienced one type of military rules or the other. Thus, this paper intends to examine the intervention of the military in African politics after independence.

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