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In Nigeria, Alfas (Islamic scholars) hold significant influence within their communities, often serving as spiritual leaders, educators, and advisors. Many Alfas have not only garnered respect and reverence but have also amassed considerable wealth through various ventures.
These Islamic scholars have achieved remarkable success through their diverse ventures, ranging from education and real estate to agriculture and media. Their wealth not only signifies their business acumen but also their significant contributions to society through philanthropy and community development.
Here, we present the top 10 richest Alfas in Nigeria in 2024, highlighting their contributions, sources of income, and impact on society.
Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV is the richest Sheikh in Nigeria today. He is also one of the richest kings in Nigeria and a first-class traditional ruler. He is highly respected in the northern part of the country.
The Sultan of Sokoto is also considered the spiritual leader of all the Muslims residing in Nigeria today. He has lots of assets, and investments and has occupied various revered positions in the country.
As of present, the Sultan of Sokoto is the chairman of the Nigerian Council of Traditional Rulers and the head of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Before he ascended the throne as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto Caliphate, he served in the military as a Brigadier-general. It was after the demise of Sultan Maccido in 2006 that he was chosen to take over the throne of his forefathers. Today, the Sultan of Sokoto is the richest Islamic cleric in Nigeria.
Isa Ali Ibrahim, popularly known as Isa Ali Pantami, is a Nigerian politician and Islamic cleric who served as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy from 2019 to 2023. Before his ministerial role, he was the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) of Nigeria from September 26, 2016, to August 20, 2019. He was subsequently nominated as a minister and sworn into office on August 21, 2019.
Pantami was a lecturer in Information Technology at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, before joining the Islamic University of Madinah in 2014 as Head of Technical Writing in the newly established Faculty of Computing and Information Systems.
As at 2021, Isa Patanmi is valued at around $70,000 (N28.1 million naira). Edutorial checked the claim that Dr. Isa Ali Pantami earned more as a professor in Saudi Arabia than a serving Nigerian minister, earning N45 million Naira.
Onikijipa one of the well-known Muslim scholars or Sheikhs, affectionately called “Allimisikilai”. He runs a popular Morikaz in Isheri, Lagos State, and his Tafsir is regularly broadcasted on AIT.
Sulaimon Faruq Onikijipa is a distinguished orator, known for his humble, factual, and intellectually profound sermons. Sheikh Sulaimon Onikijipa’s Tafsir begins on the first day of Ramadan and concludes on the last day of Ramadan.
Born on February 25, 1962, to Alhaja Aminat Faruq, the daughter of Fadilat Sheikh Sa’adullahi (the Imam of the ancient Okekere Mosque in Oke-Male, Ilorin), and Sheikh Umar Faruq, the son of Sheikh Abdullah Onikijipa and grandson of Sheikh Muh’d Qasim Onikijipa, who was the son of Sheikh Muh’d Na-Allah of blessed memory.
Sheikh Muh’d Na-Allah migrated from Kano, residing in various places before finally settling in Ilorin in the early 19th century. Sheikh Sulaimon began his quest for knowledge under his father’s guidance, learning the recitation of the Holy Quran. He soon advanced to another informal Islamic foundation to enhance his basic learning under the supervision of the renowned scholar Sheikh Zakariyah Ataragba of the famous Agbaji quarters.
In 1979, with the permission and blessings of his teacher and spiritual head, he furthered his Islamic education, having mastered the basic discipline (tarbiyah) of the Quran. He proceeded to Darul-Ulum Arabic and Islamic School in Ilorin, Kwara State, a leading Islamic institution. Between 1979 and 1983, Sheikh Faruq studied various Islamic disciplines, including Islamic legal studies (fiqh) and Islamic phonology (Surfu & Nahu). In 1983, he earned his first certificate in Arabic and Islamic education from Darul-Ulum Arabic and Islamic School, Ilorin. He is known for his philanthropic activities. Although his net worth and assets, Onikijipa is one of the Alfas that ride exotic cars and live in exquisite mansion with its beautiful interiors.
Sheikh Muhideen Ajani Bello is a renowned Nigerian Islamic cleric and scholar, widely recognized for his eloquence, deep knowledge of Islamic theology, and commitment to religious education. Born in the mid-20th century in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria, Sheikh Bello has become a prominent figure in the Muslim community both within Nigeria and internationally. He is 83-year-old.
Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello was born into a devout Muslim family. His early education was steeped in Islamic teachings, and he quickly showed a profound aptitude for religious studies. He pursued formal education in various Islamic institutions, where he mastered the Quran, Hadith, Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and other essential aspects of Islamic knowledge.
Sheikh Bello’s career as an Islamic cleric took off at age 10 as he began delivering sermons and lectures that resonated with a wide audience. His ability to articulate complex theological concepts in a clear and relatable manner earned him a significant following. Over the years, he has been invited to speak at numerous mosques, Islamic centers, and events around the world.
One of his key contributions is his work in Islamic education. Sheikh Bello has been involved in the establishment and administration of several Islamic schools and institutions. These institutions aim to provide quality education while instilling Islamic values in their students. His dedication to education extends beyond traditional religious teachings, as he advocates for a balanced education that includes modern sciences and humanities.
Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello’s legacy is one of knowledge, peace, and community development. Through his teachings, writings, and public engagements, he has left an indelible mark on the Muslim community. His contributions to Islamic education and his efforts to promote understanding and unity among people of different faiths continue to inspire many.
In recognition of his contributions, Sheikh Bello has received numerous awards and honors from various religious and educational organizations. His work remains a source of inspiration for current and future generations of Muslims around the world.
Sheikh Mojeed Eleha, the founder of Darul-Islam, is also one of the prominent Muslim clerics in Nigeria, known for his popular Tafsir sessions in Lagos. His mosque in the Isheri, Igando area consistently attracts large crowds of Muslims.
Despite being labeled “Ali-Sunnah” for his strict adherence to Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, Sheikh Mojeed Eleha is respected for his heartfelt honesty. He oversees Darul-Islam Schools and Foundation in Isheri Olowora, Lagos, and established Daaru Nalm College on September 25, 2011. Additionally, his Tafsir is broadcast daily on TVC during Ramadan.
Sheikh Taofeeq Akewugbagold, often referred to as Akewu GBA Gold, is a well-known Islamic cleric based in Ibadan, Nigeria. He is recognized for his significant contributions to Islamic preaching and community service.
Akewugbagold’s early life and background details are somewhat private, but he has garnered widespread attention for his religious teachings and leadership within the Muslim community. He has been particularly influential through his radio and television programs, where he offers religious guidance and sermons.
One of the most notable and tragic incidents in his life occurred in April 2020, when his twin children, Taiwo and Kehinde, were kidnapped at gunpoint from his residence in Ojoo, Ibadan. The abduction happened while Akewugbagold was recording a Ramadan lecture in a studio. This incident drew significant media attention and public sympathy, particularly because the twins were born after his wife had endured a 12-year period of infertility. The children were eventually released after eight days, and Akewugbagold chose to forgive the kidnappers, urging the court to release them after they had spent 11 months in a correctional facility. In addition to his religious work, Akewugbagold has served as the Chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) during the administration of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi. His leadership in this role was crucial in organizing and overseeing the pilgrimage activities for Muslims in the state.
Akewugbagold continues to be a respected figure in the Islamic community, known for his deep knowledge of Islamic laws and compassionate approach to both his followers and adversaries.
Sheikh Zakzaky, a prominent Nigerian cleric, was born in May 1953 in Zaria, Kaduna State. His parents, Islamic scholars specializing in Qur’anic exegesis, supported their family through farming.
Zakzaky’s early education was rooted in Islam; he began by learning the Qur’an under his father’s guidance and attended another Qur’anic school in his neighborhood. He and his brother also assisted their father on the farm. By age 14, Zakzaky had memorized the Holy Qur’an and then began studying other religious texts under various scholars.
From 1969 to 1975, Zakzaky attended the Zaria Provincial School, where he studied Arabic literature, followed by the School of Arabic Studies (SAS) in Kano. In 1976, he enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, earning a degree in Economics in 1979. However, his certificate was withheld due to his Islamic activism.
During his university years, Zakzaky was active in the Muslim Students’ Society (MSS), serving as Secretary-General and later Vice Chairman overseeing international affairs.
Today, Sheikh Zakzaky leads the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, commanding a following of over 20 million supporters. He gained further prominence in 2014 and 2015 following attacks by the Nigerian military on him and his followers. Until his arrest in December 2015, he conducted weekly classes on Qur’anic exegesis and Nahjul Balagha at the Husainiyyah Baqiyatullah, which was destroyed during the military assault. He is married to Zeenatudeen Ibraheem and has nine children, six of whom are deceased.
Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, born on June 28, 1927, in East Gombe, Nigeria, is a prominent Islamic scholar and the supreme leader of the Tijaniyyah Sufi order in Nigeria. He hails from a lineage of Islamic scholars, with his father, Alhaji Usman, and his grandfather both being scholars who had memorized the Qur’an. His mother, Hajiya Maryam, also played a significant role in his early religious education.
From a young age, Dahiru Bauchi showed a profound interest in Islamic studies. He memorized the entire Qur’an under the tutelage of his father and later studied under several notable Islamic scholars, including Shaykh Tijani Usman Zangon-Bare-bari, Shaykh Abubakar Atiku, and Shaykh Abdulqadir Zaria. His extensive education in Islamic jurisprudence, Arabic grammar, and Sufism laid the foundation for his later contributions to Islamic scholarship.
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s influence extends beyond Nigeria, as he has traveled globally to spread Islamic teachings and has performed the Hajj pilgrimage over 50 times. He has been recognized for his expertise in Qur’anic recitation and tafsir (interpretation of the Qur’an). Over his lifetime, he established more than 1,500 Qur’an memorization centers, where over 140,000 individuals have memorized the Qur’an under his guidance.
His family is notably large, with Dahiru Bauchi having over 95 children, many of whom have followed in his footsteps by memorizing the Qur’an. His family tree includes numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, continuing his legacy of Islamic scholarship.
Despite his religious prominence, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi has faced challenges, including an arrest in Saudi Arabia in 2009 due to doctrinal disputes among Nigerian Islamic groups. Nonetheless, he remains a respected figure in the Islamic world, having received numerous awards and honorary degrees for his contributions to Islamic education and spirituality.
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