Alhaji Jibril Baba Nnatakun, the chief imam of Shonga, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Shonga, a historic Nupe community in Edu local government area (LGA) of Kwara state, is located along the River Niger.
MBI mourns chief imam of Shonga
The circumstances surrounding Imam Nnatakun’s death, including the cause of his passing and his age at the time of his death, have not been disclosed.
News of the Islamic cleric’s death prompted an outpouring of reactions from Muslim faithful and community leaders, among them Mohammed Baba Ibrahim, popularly known as MBI. MBI is a prominent political figure in Kwara North.
Represented by his media team, MBI released an official condolence message to the Emir of Shonga, Alhaji Haliru Yahaya Ndanusa, the Shonga Descendants Development Union (SHEDDU), and the entire Shonga Emirate.
In his tribute, MBI remembered Nnatakun as a committed Islamic scholar and spiritual guide who dedicated several decades of his life to serving the community.
He said the late imam’s humility, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to promoting Islamic teachings had earned him considerable admiration among the emirate’s ruling class as well as residents across the wider community.
MBI celebrates Nnatakun’s ‘legacy’
MBI urged the people of Shonga to preserve the memory of the late imam by embracing and practising the principles of piety and service that characterised his lifetime.
He further prayed that God would grant the deceased chief imam paradise and provide his grieving family, the Emirate Council, and Muslim faithful in Shonga with the strength to endure the “irreplaceable loss.”
The Wakilin Sadaukin Lafiagi also reaffirmed his commitment to standing with the Emir and the people of Shonga during the period of mourning. He expressed optimism that the emirate would draw strength from the legacy of unity and guidance that Nnatakun left behind.
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