Abdulraheem was born on the 22nd of October 1947 in Ilorin. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and graduated with B.A. (Hons) degree in English in 1974. He proceeded to the United Kingdom and graduated from the University of Sheffield and the University of Kent at Canterbury in 1977 and 1982 with Masters Degree (M.A.) English and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) English respectively.

Prof. Abdulraheem has written several scholarly publications in local and international journals,as well as books. "Essay on Northern Nigerian Literature" is one among many.

Abdulraheem was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (1996-2001) and the immediate past Chairman of the Federal Character Commission.

He is a member and Chairman of several Professional and Academic organisations.

He is gunning for the Kwara gubernatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.