A renowned Islamic scholar and educationist, Sheikh Imam Hamzat Yusuf Abdulraheem Ariyibi, has passed away. The founder of Imam Hamzat College of Education, Ilorin, died shortly after the Juma’at prayers on Friday, September 12, 2025.
Sheikh Ariyibi, aged 65, was the proprietor of the Imam Hamzat Group of Schools and Visitor to the Imam Hamzat College of Education and College of Health Technology, Ilorin. He was widely respected as an erudite cleric of international repute, a philanthropist, and a mentor to many young people within and outside Kwara State.
Born in 1960 into the family of Alhaji and Alhaja Yusuf of Ariyibi Compound, Oke-Apomu, Ilorin, Sheikh Ariyibi began his early Qur’anic education under the guidance of As-Sheikh Abdulraheem Ariyibi. He later studied under renowned scholars, including Sheikh Sulaiman Ile Iya Eyin Odi and Alfa Agba Omoleyin, before enrolling at the Arabic and Islamic Training Centre, Oke Agodi (1980–1988).
In pursuit of higher Islamic knowledge, he attended the Dawah Propagation Centre in Cairo, Egypt, between 1994 and 1995. He also pursued formal education in business administration, earning diplomas from Crown Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, and Interlinks Polytechnic, Ijebu-Ijesha.
Over the years, Sheikh Ariyibi received multiple awards, including the “Senior Ambassador Award” from the National Congress of Nigeria, the “Dawah Propagation Merit Award” from the Arabic Students’ Association of Al-Hikmah University, and several merit awards from student bodies across Kwara State institutions.
Known for his philanthropy, the late cleric supported both Muslims and non-Muslims and was considered a pillar of strength to the youth of Ilorin and beyond.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in line with Islamic rites.
