Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has disowned the unauthorised conferment of Islamic chieftaincy titles by individuals and groups claiming or appearing to act on behalf of the organisation.
In a disclaimer dated September 24, 2026, the League urged Muslims, traditional rulers, government authorities, community leaders, corporate organisations, philanthropists and the wider public to verify the authenticity of claims involving Islamic titles associated with the League.
The statement was signed by the League’s President and Chief Imam of Ekiti State, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, alongside other senior Muslim leaders. The position was subsequently reported by several Nigerian media organisations.
League Raises Concern Over Unauthorised Titles
The League said it had become aware of individuals and groups conferring titles that resemble or are identical to distinguished Islamic chieftaincy titles historically associated with its constituted leadership.
According to the organisation, no individual, society, association or group is authorised to represent itself as an organ, affiliate, representative or authorised arm of the League without approval from its constituted leadership.
The League said any person or organisation purporting to confer its established titles without such authority should not be regarded as acting on behalf of the organisation.
It also expressed concern about the reproduction or conferment of titles in circumstances that could create confusion about their identity, meaning and institutional authority.
The League’s position, however, was not presented as a blanket objection to traditional or community organisations honouring deserving Nigerians.
Instead, it distinguished between legitimate honours created by independent organisations and the use of titles that could lead the public to believe that they originated from or were approved by the League.
Why the League Says the Titles Matter
The organisation said its Islamic chieftaincy titles have historically been used to recognise Muslims who have demonstrated service, commitment, sacrifice and contributions to Islam and the welfare of the Muslim community in Yorubaland.
The League traced its institutional history to 1964, when it was established through the initiative of Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory and other founding figures across the then Western Region of Nigeria.
It has since functioned as an umbrella organisation for Imams, Alfas and Muslim communities in Yorubaland, with a stated emphasis on Islamic unity, peace, moderation, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The latest controversy therefore centres on who has the institutional authority to confer titles historically associated with the League.
League Lists Recognised Titleholders
As part of its clarification, the League identified several current holders of titles it regards as part of its established institutional heritage.
Among those listed were Ambassador Sharafa Tunji Ishola as Baba Adinni of Yorubaland and Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola, popularly known as D-Darmak, as Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.
Other titles identified by the League include Asiwaju Adinni, Iya Adinni, Iyalode Adinni, Borokinni Adinni, Seriki Adinni, Giwa Adinni, Balogun Adinni and Asiwaju Obinrin Adinni.
The organisation also recalled prominent historical holders of some of the titles.
It identified the late businessman and politician Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly known as MKO Abiola, as a former Baba Adinni of Yorubaland.
It also identified the late businessman and philanthropist AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao as the first holder of the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland title, saying he was installed in 1980.
The League further named the late AbdulYekinni Adeojo as a former Seriki Adinni of Yorubaland and mentioned the late Sheikh Akinola Garuba, OON, among prominent former Chief Imams associated with its history.
League Calls for Verification
The organisation advised members of the public to verify claims that individuals or groups are operating under its authority.
It specifically appealed to Muslims, traditional rulers, community leaders, government institutions, businesses, philanthropists and other members of the public to exercise caution before recognising Islamic chieftaincy titles claimed to have been conferred on behalf of the League.
The League also advised anyone seeking to use, reproduce, confer or publicly associate its established titles with an activity to obtain clarification and written approval from its constituted leadership before proceeding.
The warning follows an earlier June 2026 disclaimer in which the League also distanced itself from fundraising programmes and other activities allegedly being organised by individuals or groups claiming affiliation with the organisation.
That earlier statement similarly urged the public to verify the authority of anyone claiming to represent the League.
League Says It Is Not Targeting Individuals
Despite its strong warning, the League said its latest statement was not directed at any particular individual.
It also acknowledged that lawful societies, traditional institutions and community organisations remain free to honour deserving Nigerians within their respective spheres.
Its concern, according to the statement, is specifically the use of established titles in a way that could cause members of the public to believe that the titles were conferred, approved or originated from the League when that was not the case.
The distinction is important because Islamic chieftaincy titles can carry religious, cultural and institutional significance beyond their ceremonial use.
Protecting Institutional Identity
The League said it wants to protect the integrity of its institutional heritage while maintaining unity and peaceful relations among communities.
It reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful resolution of differences and said it did not want the issue to create unnecessary division among Yoruba people or between religious communities.
The organisation said its objective was to prevent confusion, protect its institutional identity and preserve the longstanding peaceful environment in Yorubaland.
What Happens Next
The League has advised organisations and individuals seeking to associate its established Islamic chieftaincy titles with their activities to seek clarification and written approval from its constituted leadership.
For members of the public, the immediate issue is therefore verification: claims that a title has been conferred by or on behalf of the League should be checked with the organisation before being publicly recognised as an official League title.
The development also highlights the importance of distinguishing between titles created independently by community organisations and titles that are historically associated with an established religious institution.
The League said it would continue to promote Islamic values, unity, peaceful coexistence, moderation and the welfare of the Muslim community across Yorubaland.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Punch Newspapers — report on the League’s September 24 disclaimer and warning against unauthorised Islamic chieftaincy titles.
- Punch Newspapers — report listing current and past holders of the League’s distinguished titles.
- The Independent — report reproducing details of the League’s disclaimer and titleholder list.
- Daily Post — report on the League’s disassociation from unauthorised Islamic title conferment.
- The Nation — report on the League’s position concerning unauthorised Islamic chieftaincy titles.
