Nigeria’s leaders mourn Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, describing his death at 101 as a profound loss to the Muslim community
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and former Senate President Bukola Saraki on Thursday led nationwide tributes in Abuja following the death of revered Islamic scholar Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who died in the early hours at the age of 101.
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The passing of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, a central figure in Islamic scholarship and a respected voice across West Africa, was described by President Tinubu as a profound loss to the country and the wider Muslim world.
A statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said President Tinubu regarded the late scholar as a moral compass who invested his life in teaching, preaching and guiding communities.
The President recalled the support he received from Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi during the 2023 election campaign, noting that the cleric’s words of encouragement had strengthened national dialogue and promoted calm during tense moments.
Governor Uba Sani said in a separate condolence message from Kaduna that Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi embodied the values of humility, knowledge and unity.
The governor said the cleric’s teachings had shaped generations and reinforced the influence of the Tijjaniyya movement across Nigeria and beyond.
He prayed for divine mercy and asked that the scholar be granted Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki described Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as a colossus whose century-long life was spent in service to his faith.
Saraki noted that the scholar’s Almajiri schools and widely followed Tafsir sessions had left an enduring impact on Islamic education.
He said the cleric’s legacy would continue to illuminate the path of millions who drew inspiration from his work.
Across the country, tributes continued to flow from religious bodies, community leaders and followers of the Tijjaniyya order. Many described the late scholar’s steady advocacy for peace and moderation as a powerful force that helped foster understanding in times of national strain.
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Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s death marks the end of an era for many communities that relied on his counsel. His followers and admirers now look to his teachings as they confront the void his departure has created.
