The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and a former Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, are among dignitaries slated to attend the opening of Muhammad Kamalud-deen University (MKU) in Il?rin, Kwara State.

The institution is named after its founder and pioneer Mufti of Ilorin, the late Sheikh Kamalud-deen Al-Adabiy.

The university, established by the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, received accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 9th June, 2023.

The development, Daily Trust reports, will increase the number of Islamic universities in Kwara State after Al-Hikmah and Summit universities in Ilorin and Offa respectively.

While Summit is owned and established by the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, MKU is owned by the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference on the official preparation of the commissioning, pro-chancellor of MKU, Prof. Shuaib AbdulRaheem, said the citadel will combine spirituality with sociality to prepare its students for life both on earth and the hereafter.

Extolling the virtues of the late mufti, the Pro-chancellor said: “As a visionary leader, Muhammad Kamalud-deen spearheaded the integration of Western education into his Arabic and Islamic schools, thus modernising and standardising Arabic education in Nigeria.

“Despite opposition, he championed the teaching of English and introduced innovative tools like blackboards, tables and chairs.”

Abdul-Raheem, who was flanked by the vice chancellor of MKU, Prof. Rasheed Jimoh and chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Engr Ahmad Ibrahim, said disciples of the late mufti and Ansarul Islam members decided to establish the institution to honour his legacy.