Bauchi – Nigeria’s revered Islamic scholar and global leader of the Tijjaniyya order, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, passed away at the age of 102 in the early hours of Thursday, November 27, 2025. The cleric died at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi after a brief illness.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed announced the death in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado. The governor extended heartfelt condolences to the Sheikh’s immediate family, his countless followers, students and the wider Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.
“Innalillahi wa inna Ilaihi Rajiun. It is with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss that the Bauchi State Government announces the death of renowned and revered Islamic scholar, teacher, and spiritual leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who returned to his Creator in the early hours of today, Thursday, 27th November, 2025, at the age of 102 in Bauchi,” the statement read.
Governor Mohammed described the late Sheikh as a towering figure in Islamic scholarship, a man of deep faith, humility and wisdom whose life was devoted to the propagation of Islam, the teaching of the Holy Qur’an and the moral and spiritual upliftment of humanity. He added, “Through his numerous schools and learning centres, he nurtured thousands of students who went on to memorise the Qur’an and spread Islamic knowledge across the African continent.”
The governor highlighted the Sheikh’s immense contributions to theology, Islamic jurisprudence and history, noting that his work has left an indelible mark on the intellectual and spiritual landscape of society. He said, “As we mourn this monumental loss, we take solace in the fact that Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi lived a life fully dedicated to the service of Allah, humanity, and knowledge. His legacy will continue to illuminate the path of generations to come.”
The Bauchi State Government pledged to honor his memory by supporting the institutions and ideals he championed, particularly in the fields of Islamic education, moral discipline and community development. “The Government of Bauchi State will continue to honor his memory by supporting the institutions and ideals he stood for, particularly in the areas of Islamic education, moral discipline, and community development,” the statement affirmed.
In closing, the governor prayed for the departed scholar, saying, “We pray that Almighty Allah will forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family, followers, and the entire Ummah the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, a national honorary recipient of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), was born in 1923 and rose to become one of the most influential figures in West African Islam, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire millions. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family and the state government.
