The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has appointed Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Dasuki Imam Fulani as the new Chief Imam of the Ilorin Emirate.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the Personal Assistant to the Emir, Dr. Abdulraheem Muritala, following a selection process involving several Islamic scholars who contested for the revered spiritual position.

According to the statement, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Dasuki emerged successful and was subsequently approved by the Emir as the spiritual leader of the Muslim community within the emirate.

The newly appointed Chief Imam, 42, hails from a distinguished lineage of Islamic scholars. 

He is the grandson of the 8th Chief Imam Fulani of Ilorin, Sheikh Ibrahim Dasuki Imam Fulani Agaka, and the son of the 10th Chief Imam Fulani, Sheikh Maliki bn Dasuki Agaka.

Sheikh Muhammad Bashir is the founder and proprietor of Darul Bisharah Arabic and Islamic Studies, Airport Egbejila, Ilorin. 

He also led daily and Friday congregational prayers at Afsat Oloriegbe Memorial Mosque, Oko Olowo, Ilorin.

In addition, he is known for presenting the Al-Bisharah Islamic Foundation programme on Radio Kwara during Ramadan and serves as a teacher at Darul Kitab College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin.

Sheikh Muhammad Bashir holds a Bachelor's degree in Islamic Shari'ah from Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, obtained in 2014; he also earned a Diploma in Arabic Islamic Education from the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Islamic Studies at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.

Speaking on the appointment, the Emir prayed for divine guidance, wisdom, sound health and a successful tenure for the new Chief Imam.

The monarch expressed confidence in Sheikh Muhammad Bashir's ability to provide spiritual leadership and contribute to the growth and development of the Muslim community in the emirate.