Oloyede: Day the Caliphate honoured integrity

Sunday, November 1, 2026 will remain indelible in the annals of the Sokoto Caliphate, and indeed, Nigeria. On that day, the ancient seat of the Caliphate was agog, as His Eminence, the Sultan, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, marked his 20th anniversary on the exalted throne of his forefathers. The highly respected monarch, who ascended the throne on November 2, 2006, chose not to throw a mere party. He chose to make a profound statement about merit, unity and national cohesion by conferring chieftaincy titles on 13 prominent Nigerians.

In the roll-call of honour, one name stood out: Prof. Emeritus Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, FNAL, the 8th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (2007-2012), immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, (2016 – 2026), and Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, (since May 2013), and now Kuliyan Sokoto.

As soon as the day broke, the courtyard of the ancient Sultan Palace became a tapestry of colours. The turbaning held between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Sultanate Council, followed immediately by the majestic Durbar procession — horses adorned, trumpets blaring, and of course, a sumptuous reception hosted by the new Kuliya for his family, friends, associates, and well-wishers. The twin events – the turbaning at the Sultanate Council and the reception at the Army Command Guest House, Sokoto, typified royal splendor and scenic grandeur through and through.

Among some of the other newly turbaned chiefs were two of the Sultan’s sons – Abubakar Sadiq Abubakar, the new Sarkin Dawaki Tsakar Gida and Shehu Usman Abubakar, the Fagachin Sokoto; Others also include Alhaji Murtala Dan’iya, Dallatun Sokoto; Prof. Mansur Ibrahim, Danmasanin Sokoto; and Dr. Peter Igho, former Director General of NTA, Kakakin Daular Usmaniyya.

But the moment Oloyede knelt for the turban, the atmosphere changed dramatically, with the crowd erupting in wild jubilation, as shouts of ‘Kuuliyaaa!’ rented the air.

Speaking on the significance of the Kuliya title, the Sultan said, “The title of Kuliyan Sokoto promotes justice, equity and fairness.” For these and more attitudinal qualities, the choice of Prof. Emeritus Oloyede as the Kuliyan Sokoto by the highly exalted royal father was not misplaced. For, the emeritus professor of Islamic jurisprudence richly merited it.

The Sultan described Prof. Emeritus Oloyede as an outstanding Nigerian whose contributions and impact have transcended geographical and institutional boundaries. He urged the newly turbaned Kuliyan Sokoto to replicate in the Sokoto Caliphate the positive contributions he has made to Nigeria’s development.

Congratulating Prof. Emeritus Oloyede, who is one of his predecessors, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, said the title is “a well-deserved honour to a rare breed public servant, a detribalised Nigerian bridge builder, an incorruptible statesman”, and “a veritable symbol of renewed hope for national rebirth.”

Prof. Egbewole noted that “the chieftaincy title is in recognition of Oloyede’s well-known contributions to the nation’s educational development, service excellence, community service, and humanitarian credentials.”

While wishing Prof. Emeritus Oloyede long and fruitful reign in his new traditional assignment, Prof. Egbewole, who is also the Secretary General of the Association of West Africa Universities (AWAU), said the conferment of the title on him is indicative of the fact that Nigeria is not done with the multi-tasking former JAMB Registrar.”

Also in his comment, Prof. Emeritus Oloyede’s successor at JAMB, Prof. Segun Aina, described his emergence as Kuliyan Sokoto as a well-deserved recognition and a step in the right direction. He appreciated his immediate predecessor for laying a solid foundation for the Board.

On his part, a long-time friend of the honoree, Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, who is also the Kuliyan Ilorin, described Prof. Emeritus Oloyede as a selfless, God-fearing and considerate individual, who is more passionate about the welfare and well-being of others than his personal interests.

Describing their friendship, which spans over five decades, Prof. Ali described Oloyede as an incorruptible, disciplined and highly principled administrator whose integrity remains unquestionable.

Also speaking, the Alake of Egbaland, who was represented at the event by a former Military Governor of Bauchi and Sokoto States, Navy Capt. Rasheed Raji (Rtd), described Prof. Emeritus Oloyede as a worthy son of Egbaland and urged him to sustain his remarkable contributions to society and continue flying the flag of his ancestral home.

In an emotion-laden response, suffused with gratitude to Almighty Allah, the new Kuliya said, “The title combines both the sacred and the mundane. It is a religious title by virtue of being given by the President-General of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto.”

Prof. Emeritus Oloyede expressed profound gratitude to Almighty Allah and the Sultan for finding him worthy of the honour, which, he said, he did not take for granted.

Reflecting on his achievements and whether he had fulfilled his life’s aspirations, Prof. Emeritus Oloyede said only Almighty Allah could determine that, stressing that he remained conscious of the need to live up to expectations.

He described his accomplishments and the honours bestowed on him as blessings far beyond what he could have reasonably asked for, adding that he did not consider himself deserving of all the recognition he had received. He, however, prayed for Allah’s continued guidance and assistance to enable him to justify the confidence and expectations reposed in him.

Indeed, the uncommon trajectory of Prof. Emeritus Oloyede — the hardworking public servant, who remitted more than N30 billion of unspent funds to the coffers of the Federal Government, who transformed universities’ admission administration and restored its integrity, who served the University of Ilorin with distinction — has become the gold standard for public service in the country. And in an age of widespread cynicism about public office holders, Sokoto has told Nigeria that integrity still has a place.