Gbodofu calls for Arabic manuscripts’ scholarly evaluation
By Abubakar Imam
A Professor at the Department of Arabic and Transnational Studies, University of Ilorin, Khalil Mohammed Usman Gbodofu, has called for more scholarly studies of Arabic manuscripts and similar materials written in other indigenous African languages to ensure a deeper understanding of the proud heritage or the continent and its contributions to human development.
Prof. Gbodofu made the call last Wednesday (April 15, 2026) while delivering a paper, titled” Nupe Ajami Scripts in Gbodofu Family, Ilorin Emirate: Translation and Comments” at a workshop hosted by the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.
The renowned Arabist, whose presentation was well- received by the audience comprising of scholars and students from other parts of the world, explained that a lot of critical and intellectually exciting information are preserved in those manuscripts and that only a scholarly evaluation of their contents could lead to their sufficient understanding.
Prof. Gbodofu, who recently won an international prize for his contributions to the expansion of knowledge in Arabic Language from Kuwait, added that a lot of information needed to be unearthed about the pre-colonial Africans. He said that this would assist scholars and the global community to appreciate the fact that Africa was never a dark continent.
He assured the audience that he would work with his colleagues from within and around Ilorin Emirate to ensure that hidden manuscripts are brought out for more to be known and learnt from the beliefs, relations and dispositions of past inhabitants of various communities in the interest of the present and the future.
Also at the Workshop, an Associate Professor at the Department of Arabic and Transnational Studies, Dr Abdur-Rasheed Mahmoud Mukadam, also presented a paper, titled “Traditional Medication and Spiritual Heritage in the Arabic Manuscripts of Okelele Scholars in Ilorin, Nigeria” while an alumnus of the University and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. Moshood Mahmood Jimba, also presented a paper, titled “Arabic Letters in Ilorin Emirate: An Introspection to Alfa Jetemiodara’s Family Archives”.
