The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of one of Nigeria's most revered Islamic leaders, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi. The forum described his death as a monumental national loss that creates a significant void in the country's ongoing search for unity, peace, and harmonious coexistence.
A Pillar of Religious Tolerance and National Cohesion
In an official condolence message signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF highlighted the late Sheikh's decades of service. It noted that Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was celebrated across the Islamic world for his unwavering commitment to promoting religious tolerance and strengthening Nigeria's social fabric.
The forum emphasized that the scholar dedicated his life to using his vast knowledge and spiritual influence as a bridge-builder. He actively worked to mend divides across Nigeria's complex ethnic, religious, and political landscapes. His teachings consistently advocated for moderation while firmly discouraging extremism and fanaticism in all forms.
Leadership in Key Interfaith Bodies
The ACF recalled Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi's active and influential roles in several major national Islamic and inter-religious organizations. He was a key figure in:
- Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI)
- The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), where he served as Deputy Chairman of the Fatwa Committee until his death.
- The Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
Within these platforms, he was a steadfast champion for dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among followers of different faiths in Nigeria.
A Guiding Light for the Tijjaniyya Movement
Beyond national borders, the forum noted the Sheikh's exceptional role as a guiding spiritual light within the global Tijjaniyya movement. His influence extended throughout West Africa and beyond, providing moral and religious leadership to millions of followers.
The ACF stated that Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi's passing on November 27, 2025, in Bauchi State, could not have come at a more challenging time for Nigeria. The forum stressed that the nation is in dire need of moral voices committed to unity and peace-building, values which his life perfectly embodied.
His funeral rites, held on Friday, November 28, 2025, in Bauchi, attracted tens of thousands of mourners and numerous high-profile dignitaries, a testament to his widespread reverence.
A Call to Uphold His Legacy
The Arewa Consultative Forum extended its heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late scholar, the broader Tijjaniyya community, and the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. It urged all Nigerians to honour his memory by upholding the core principles he lived and preached: moderation, tolerance, and peaceful dialogue.
Furthermore, the ACF called on contemporary religious and community leaders across the nation to emulate his exemplary model of moral leadership. It emphasized that Nigeria now requires such bridge-builders more than ever before to navigate its current tensions and challenges.
Scholar's Background and Family
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was a product of rigorous Islamic scholarship, having studied under renowned teachers including Sheikh Tijani Usman Zangon-Bare-bari, Shaykh Abubakar Atiku, and Sheikh Abdulqadir Zaria. He inherited and continued a deep family legacy within the Tijjaniyyah Tariqah, as his father was also an authorized Tijani Muqaddam (leader).
In a related development, Naziru Dahiru, a son of the late Sheikh, has previously declared his intention to contest for the position of Governor of Bauchi State in the 2027 elections. He positioned himself as a youth-focused candidate aiming to continue existing socioeconomic projects.
