BREAKING: Alaafin appoints Nigerian lawyer, Bilal Akinola, as Chief Imam of Oyo
By KEMI KASUMU
“When the Sultan has educated Muslims who are sound and vast both in Western and Islamic knowledge as top Chief Imams in each of the regions, especially in Yoruba Land, amplifying his Ramadan fast commencement declaration to the grassroots will become seamless and hitch-free,” one of the respondents told The DEFENDER on Tuesday November 11, 2025.
Lawyer and Islamic scholar, Sheikh Bilal Oseni Akinola, has emerged new Chief Imam of Oyo.
This follows the approval of his appointment by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I in a letter dated November 11, 2025.
The DEFENDER reports that emergence of Barrister Akinola was not without its challenges as, despite being the best successful in the interview conducted for 18 candidates, external influences attempted to swindle the process but the insistence of the Alaafin on due process flogged the situation to order hence the generally acceptable outcome.
Barrister Bilal was a product of Maad-ul Arabi of Elekuro in Ibadan, after which he went to study law. His ability, aside his good command of English and use of language, to speak fluent Arabic that is the natural language for the Islamic practice will continue to make him fit appropriately for the top and lifetime religious job as the official Islamic leader of Oyo Kingdom.
In his reaction to the development, Alhaji Is-haq Kunle Sanni, Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, noted the fact that, “Among the contestants he is probably the only without a godfather is why the Alaafin of Oyo deserves kudos for his sense of Justice.”
According to him, “Imam Daud Igiogun who coordinated the process deserves adulation and commendation for his transparent act of Islámic justice. Professor Nureni Tanimowo who chairmaned the committee that interviewed the prospective candidates for refusing to be bought over is a hero of the process. His name would be written in gold by posterity as a man of honour and integrity,” Kunle Sanni said as he wished Imam Bilal Oseni Akinola Allah’s guidance in the onerous responsibility attached to his high office.
Reactions to Barrister Bilal Akinola’s emergence as Chief Imam of Oyo have been diverse. Where some expressed joy that his turbanning will once again bring the number one Chief Imam of Nigeria, Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, to Oyo State.
Oyo State has been lucky to host the Sultan more than 17 other states of Southern Nigeria.
There are some other respondents, who described emergence of the new Chief Imam of Oyo as one that shows a paradigm shift in the quality of materials the Yoruba Land Muslim Ummah is now capable of contributing to Islamic development in the country.
“When the Sultan has educated Muslims who are sound and vast both in Western and Islamic knowledge as top Chief Imams in each of the regions, especially in Yoruba Land, amplifying his Ramadan fast commencement declaration to the grassroots will become seamless and hitch-free,” one of the respondents told The DEFENDER on Tuesday November 11, 2025.
See the letter below, signed by Alaafin of Oyo appointing Barrister Bilal Oseni Akinola as new Chief Imam of Oyo:
