A revered Islamic scholar and leader of the Tijjaniyya order, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, is dead.
The cleric died early Thursday at the age of 102.
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, described his death as a profound national loss and praised the Sheikh’s lifelong commitment to peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, Governor Mohammed extended condolences to the Sheikh’s family, followers, students, and the wider Muslim community.
“Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi was a towering figure in Islamic scholarship. He embodied deep faith, humility, and wisdom throughout his remarkable life,” the governor said.
He noted that the Sheikh devoted his life to propagating Islam, teaching the Qur’an, and uplifting communities spiritually and morally.
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The statement added that the Sheikh’s schools and learning centres produced thousands of Qur’an memorisers who later spread Islamic knowledge across Africa.
The governor said the cleric’s contributions to theology, jurisprudence, and Islamic history left an enduring impact on society.
He pledged continued support for the institutions and values the Sheikh upheld, especially Islamic education and community development.
Sheikh Usman, who received the national honour OFR, was born on June 29, 1927, in East Gombe.
He came from a family rooted in both Bauchi and Gombe and held a Tijjaniyya ijāzah recognised across West Africa.
He served as deputy chair of the Fatwa Committee of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
Saudi authorities detained him briefly in 2009 during the pilgrimage following doctrinal tensions involving Nigerian Islamic groups.
He married a daughter of the renowned Tijani scholar Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse, with the ceremony conducted by Sheikh Baba Laminu Niasse in Kaolack, Senegal.
Radda Mourns
Meanwhile, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has joined the longlist of mourners, describing the cleric as a pillar of moral authority.
“Throughout his 98 years, Sheikh Dahiru remained a voice of reason, a pillar of moral authority, and a symbol of spiritual enlightenment,” Radda said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed.
“His departure leaves a void that will be deeply felt across generations.”
Sheikh Dahiru Usman was not just a religious leader; he was a father, a guide, and a unifying force who transcended ethnic, political, and regional boundaries,” the governor said.
“His wisdom, humility, and commitment to peace inspired millions across Nigeria and beyond”.
