Barrister Bilal Akinola Ogunbado Akeugberu becomes new Oyo Chief Imam

Barrister Bilal Akinola Ogunbado Akeugberu becomes new Oyo Chief Imam, News Live Nigeria reports.

The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Akeem Owolade I, has officially confirmed the appointment of Barrister Bilal Akinola Ogunbado Akeugberu as the new Chief Imam of Oyo City.

The announcement was contained in a Letter of Appointment dated November 11, 2025, and issued from the Aganju Forecourt of the Oyo Alaafin Palace. In the letter, the Alaafin expressed profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for blessing the ancient city with a new Islamic leader to guide the faithful.

“This moment is not only significant for our people but also sacred in the eyes of Allah,” the monarch stated, stressing that leadership in Islam “is a trust that demands humility, sincerity, and justice.”

Oba Owolade described the position of Chief Imam as a divine responsibility, emphasizing that the office goes beyond leading prayers. He noted that the Chief Imam serves as “a moral guide, a voice of peace, and a source of unity for the Muslim Ummah.”

The Alaafin charged Barrister Bilal Akinola Ogunbado Akeugberu to lead with wisdom, compassion, and humility, and to strengthen the bond between the palace and the mosque, promoting faith, understanding, and unity among the people of Oyo.

He prayed for Allah’s continuous guidance upon the new Chief Imam, asking the Almighty to endow him with sound judgment, patience, and courage to discharge his duties faithfully.

“I officially confirm the appointment of Barrister Bilal Akinola Ogunbado Akeugberu as Chief Imam of Oyo, in service to Allah, in honor of our forebears, and for the peace and progress of our land,” the Alaafin concluded.

News Live Nigeria recalls that since the demise of the former Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Mashood Abdul Ganiyy Adebayo Ajokidero III, on January 26, 2023, the Muslim community in Oyo had eagerly awaited the appointment of a new Chief Imam to lead and oversee the spiritual affairs of the city’s faithful.

The official confirmation by the Alaafin is therefore seen as a moment of renewed unity, spiritual revival, and hope for the Oyo Muslim Ummah.