Oyo Grand Chief Imam Has Made a Decade’s Impact in One Year, Agunbiade Says
The MUSCOYS member highlights the cleric’s engagements with Muslim institutions, outreach across ideological differences and growing influence beyond Oyo State.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
A member of the Oyo State Muslim Community (MUSCOYS), Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, has described the first year of Sheikh Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu as Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land as a period of achievements whose impact, he said, could ordinarily take a decade to accomplish.
Agunbiade made the assessment in a congratulatory message marking the cleric’s first anniversary in office on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
He said the anniversary offered an opportunity to recognise the Imam’s leadership, growing influence and engagements with Muslim institutions and prominent Islamic authorities since assuming the position.
According to Agunbiade, Akeugberu’s emergence had raised expectations among Muslims seeking leadership that would strengthen unity, provide direction and advance the collective interests of the Ummah.
He recalled that shortly after the Imam’s emergence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, received him, describing the engagement as an early indication of the recognition and acceptance of his leadership within the Nigerian Muslim community.
Agunbiade further noted that the Imam’s engagements had extended beyond Oyo State to other parts of the Southwest and the wider Nigerian Muslim community.
Describing Akeugberu as a man of honour, dignity and wisdom, he said the cleric had demonstrated that religious leadership required more than occupying an influential position, stressing the importance of humility, inclusiveness and commitment to the welfare of the faithful.
He particularly commended the Imam’s ability to engage Muslims across different ideological orientations, arguing that the office of Grand Chief Imam carries a responsibility to unite the community and build bridges across differences.
“His first twelve months have demonstrated what purposeful leadership can achieve when experience, wisdom, influence and commitment to the Ummah converge. Indeed, one year of his leadership has produced what could ordinarily take a decade to accomplish,” Agunbiade said.
He urged Muslims in Oyo Land and beyond to support the Imam, cooperate with his leadership and contribute to the unity and development of the Muslim community.
Agunbiade also prayed for the cleric’s continued good health, wisdom and strength, expressing hope that the remainder of his tenure would bring greater unity, spiritual advancement and institutional development for Muslims in Oyo State, the Southwest and Nigeria.
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