Renowned Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi Is Dead

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Thursday announced the death of eminent Islamic scholar and spiritual leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi.

The renowned preacher reportedly died on Wednesday night at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, at the age of 102.

His body has since been moved from the hospital to his family residence along Gombe Road, where his funeral prayers are expected to be held later today.

In a condolence statement issued on Thursday, Governor Mohammed commiserated with the late scholar’s family, followers, students and the wider Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.

He described Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as: “A towering figure in Islamic scholarship, a man of deep faith, humility and wisdom.”

The governor noted that the cleric’s life was devoted to teaching the Qur’an, propagating Islam and uplifting society morally and spiritually.

He praised the Sheikh’s efforts in establishing numerous Islamic schools and learning centres which have produced thousands of Qur’an memorizers and scholars who have spread Islamic knowledge across Africa.

Governor Mohammed further highlighted the late Sheikh’s contributions to theology, jurisprudence and Islamic history, stressing that his teachings and commitment to peace, tolerance and unity left an enduring mark on the society.

“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,” the statement read.

The governor added that the Bauchi State Government would continue to honour the scholar’s legacy by supporting Islamic education, moral discipline and community development, values he championed throughout his life.

He prayed Allah to grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and give his family and followers the strength to bear the loss.

According to a brief biography, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi began his Islamic education under his father, Alhaji Usman, under whom he memorised the entire Qur’an at the age of 19.

He later continued his studies under several Islamic scholars within and outside Nigeria, with Sheikh Ibrāhīm Inyass cited as his most influential teacher.

His profound knowledge of the Qur’an and related sciences led to his recognition as a professor of Qur’anic memorisation and education, and he was widely honoured as one of the world’s translators of the Holy Qur’an.

The biography states that Sheikh Bauchi commenced his Qur’an translation work in Bauchi in 1948 and dedicated 77 years of his life to translating and explaining the Holy Book.

Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s teachings reached millions through radio. His broadcast lessons began on Bauchi Radio Corporation in 1976, and later on Radio Nigeria Kaduna in 1980.

Over the years, numerous radio stations across northern Nigeria have aired his sermons and Qur’anic lessons, especially during Ramadan and beyond, making his voice a familiar presence in homes across the region.

The late scholar was blessed with a large family, comprising 100 children, 406 grandchildren, and 100 great-grandchildren.

His legacy of Qur’an memorisation and teaching runs deep in his household.

Remarkably, 78 of his children, over 199 of his grandchildren and 12 of his great-grandchildren are also teachers of the Holy Qur’an, combining Islamic and western education as they carry on his lifelong work of scholarship and spiritual instruction.