*Photo: Leadership of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land.
“The League said the late businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, was historically recognised as Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land, while the title was subsequently conferred on Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola.”
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land has cautioned individuals, groups and organisations against the unauthorised conferment or reproduction of Islamic chieftaincy titles historically associated with the League.
*Photo R-L (Down): Professor D.O.S. Noibi, pioneer Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN); Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, OON, Mudiru-l-Markaz and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the League and Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR.
*L-R: Prof D.O.S. Noibi, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and another dignitary.
In a public notice dated September 24, 2026, the League said the warning became necessary following the activities of a society or group allegedly presenting itself as having the authority to confer Islamic chieftaincy titles traditionally associated with the organisation.
*Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola during his turbaning as Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land by the leadership of the League.
The League, established in 1964 through the initiative of Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory and other Muslim leaders across the then Western Region, said it had for more than six decades served as an umbrella institution for Imams, Alfas and Muslim communities across Yoruba Land.
It said its activities had consistently focused on promoting Islamic brotherhood, unity, peace, moderation, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among Muslims and other communities.
According to the League, its distinguished Islamic chieftaincy titles have historically been conferred on Muslims who have demonstrated outstanding service, sacrifice and contributions to Islam and the welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
It specifically cited the titles of Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land and Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, among others, as part of its established institutional heritage.
The League said the late businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, was historically recognised as Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land, while the title was subsequently conferred on Ambassador Sharafa Tunji Ishola.
It also identified the late Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao as the first holder of the title of Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, installed in 1980. The title is currently held by Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola D-Darmak.
The organisation said the continuity of the titles demonstrated that they were not ordinary social decorations that could be arbitrarily reproduced or conferred without reference to the established Muslim leadership structure.
The League listed the current holders of its distinguished Yoruba Land Islamic chieftaincy titles as Ambassador Sharafa Tunji Ishola (OFR), Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land; Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola D-Darmak, Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land; Asiwaju (Dr.) Khamis Olatunde Badmus, Asiwaju Adinni of Yoruba Land; and Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, Iya Adinni of Yoruba Land.
Others are Alhaja Chief Sedeekat Bolade Aderibigbe, Iyalode Adinni of Yoruba Land; Alhaji Mustapha AbdulRahman Abiola Zico, Borokinni Adinni of Yoruba Land; Alhaji AbdulRasheed Olawoore Omo Oku-Orun, Seriki Adinni of Yoruba Land; Alhaji AbdulGaniy Alaka, Giwa Adinni of Yoruba Land; Alhaji Moriwiyu Kayode Bakare, Balogun Adinni of Yoruba Land; and Olori Agba Moriliat Iyabode Adetona, Asiwaju Obinrin Adinni of Yoruba Land.
The League also recognised late Alhaji Abiola, late Alhaji Arisekola Alao and late Alhaji AbdulYekinni Adeojo, who held the Seriki Adinni of Yoruba Land title, among distinguished past title holders.
It further paid tribute to the late Sheikh Akinola Garuba, OON, Grand Chief Imam of Lagos and former Vice President of the League, praying for the souls of the deceased Muslim leaders.
‘No group authorised to act for League’
The League stated categorically that no individual, society, association or group was authorised to present itself as an organ, affiliate, representative or authorised arm of the League without the express approval of its constituted leadership.
It added that anyone purporting to confer any of the League’s established Islamic chieftaincy titles without the authority of its leadership should not be regarded as acting on behalf of the League.
The organisation expressed particular concern over situations in which historically recognised titles were reproduced or conferred indiscriminately, including instances where recipients might not be Muslims.
According to the League, such practices could create confusion about the identity, meaning and authority attached to the titles.
It, however, stressed that its position was not directed against any individual and that it was not opposed to legitimate recognition of deserving Nigerians by lawful societies, traditional institutions or community organisations.
“Every organisation remains free to operate within its lawful sphere and to create its own appropriate honours,” the League said.
It maintained that the concern was the use or reproduction of established titles associated with the League in a manner capable of creating the impression that such titles had been conferred, approved or originated from the League.
Appeal for verification, unity
The League urged Muslims, traditional rulers, community leaders, government authorities, corporate organisations, philanthropists and members of the public to verify claims by individuals or organisations purporting to operate under its authority or mandate.
It said it would continue to protect the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the integrity of its institutional heritage while promoting peace and harmony across Yoruba Land.
The League also reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful resolution of differences, stressing that it did not seek to create division among Yoruba people or between religious communities.
It advised any individual, society or organisation wishing to use, reproduce, confer or publicly associate any of its established Islamic chieftaincy titles with its activities to seek clarification and written approval from the constituted leadership before proceeding.
The statement was signed by the President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chief Imam of Ekiti; Vice President, Sheikh Saadullah Bamgbola, Chief Imam of Ogun State; Grand Life Patron, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, Chief Imam of Oyo State; and other senior Muslim leaders, including Sheikh Musa Rabiu Animasahun, Chief Imam of Osun State.
Others who signed include Sheikh Dr. AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede (JP), Chief Imam of Ondo State; Sheikh Seifudeen Oloworibi Ademoritan, Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division and Chairman, Rabita, Lagos; Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, OON, Mudiru-l-Markaz and Chairman, Board of Trustees; Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, Grand Mufti of Yoruba Land; Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat (Dohak); and the Secretary General of the League.