Oyo Grand Chief Imam: Agunbiade Says Akeugberu’s One Year Worth a Decade
Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, a prominent member of the Oyo State Muslim Community (MUSCOYS), has described the first year of Sheikh Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu as Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land as a decade’s worth of impact, citing his contributions to Islamic leadership, Muslim unity and religious engagement.
Agunbiade made the remarks in a congratulatory message issued on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, to commemorate the first anniversary of the Imam’s appointment, describing him as a man of honour, wisdom and a blessing to the Muslim Ummah.
He said Akeugberu’s emergence had rekindled hope among Muslims in Oyo Land, particularly those who had long anticipated a religious leader capable of providing purposeful direction, promoting unity and advancing the collective interests of the Ummah.
According to him, the Grand Chief Imam began demonstrating his leadership capacity shortly after his emergence through engagements with prominent Islamic authorities and institutions across the country.
Agunbiade particularly recalled Akeugberu’s reception by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, describing the engagement as an early indication of the recognition and acceptance of his leadership within the Nigerian Muslim community.
He added that the Imam’s influence had extended beyond Oyo Land, with engagements across the South-West and the wider Nigerian Muslim Ummah.
Commending his leadership disposition, Agunbiade said Akeugberu had demonstrated that the office of a Grand Chief Imam required more than religious authority, stressing the importance of humility, inclusiveness, selfless service and commitment to the welfare of Muslims.
He also praised the cleric’s ability to engage Muslims across different ideological orientations, noting that religious leadership should serve as a unifying force rather than a source of division.
“The Grand Chief Imam is a man whose emergence many Muslims had anticipated with great expectations. Alhamdulillah, barely one year into his administration, his impact has given renewed meaning to those expectations,” Agunbiade said.
He maintained that the level of engagements, institutional relationships and contributions recorded within the period reflected what purposeful leadership could achieve when experience, wisdom and commitment to the Ummah were combined.
Agunbiade consequently called on Muslims to support the Grand Chief Imam, cooperate with his leadership and continue praying for him, noting that the progress of the Muslim community depended on collective responsibility and mutual understanding.
He also offered prayers for Allah’s continued guidance, protection, sound health and wisdom for Akeugberu, expressing hope that the remaining years of his tenure would witness greater unity, spiritual advancement and institutional development among Muslims in Oyo Land and beyond.
Akeugberu was appointed Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, on November 11, 2025. His turbaning ceremony was subsequently held at the Alaafin’s Palace on December 6, 2025.
